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In 2024 and 2025, REPF funded 28 rural projects across both business and community groups, totalling in 24 different local organisations. Nearly £300,000 of rural capital grant funding was issued with around £100,000 in match funding being provided by the organisations.
24 businesses and community groups used the funding for projects that focus on sustainability, growth and productivity, improving access, and upgrading facilities. This includes everything from installing solar panels and improving disability access to expanding local businesses and upgrading digital infrastructure.
Congratulations to all the successful recipients:
- Abbots Leigh Parish Council – installation of solar panels for the Village Hall
- Art Equals Happy – disability access improvements
- Backwell Playhouse – green community infrastructure upgrades
- Banwell Parish Council – batteries to maximise savings from solar panels
- Big Nath’s BBQ Ltd – new equipment and expansion into Big Nath's BBQ 2.0
- Bradleys Juice – investment in carbonating technology and a bath pasteuriser
- Cadbury Alpacas – infrastructure improvements
- Charlie’s Coffee House – expansion of Heaven Coffee House
- Flax Bourton Hub – community hall energy-efficient upgrades
- Ganley and Naish Cider – EV van replacement to reduce carbon emissions
- Gelato Bros (formerly Mochi Bros) – scale-up of gelato production
- Gordano RFC – solar panels for the rugby club
- Hamilton & Hodson Traditional Upholstery – workshop refurbishment: “Perking up the Pigsty”
- Hullabaloos Lemonade – fridge and pallet truck
- Kindaco Ltd – food safety testing equipment to increase production output
- Long Ashton Community Centre – modern audio-visual equipment upgrade for community group use
- Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm – elephant and wildlife safari tractor-and-trailer ride and commercial oven for Farm Shop Café
- The Frankie Howerd OBE Trust – community café extension with improved accessibility, commercial dishwasher and food mixer, and twin tank commercial fryer
- The Groundwork South Trust – upgrading Goblin Combe’s residential countryside community centre
- The Woodland Warrior Programme CIC – honey bottling equipment, following REPF 23/24 to purchase hives for community engagement
- Trethowan's Dairy – new cleaning system for cheese production due to business needing to find a way to cope with a major change in which its milk was delivered
- Twisted Oak Brewery – brewery infrastructure improvements and EV van
- Uncle Paul's Chili Charity – woodworking area project
Project highlights include Gordano RFC, which used its REPF grant to install a 13.95 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The installation allows the club to generate renewable electricity on-site, store excess energy, and significantly reduce reliance on the national grid. As of February 2025, the club had already recorded £676.25 in energy savings, and these savings are expected to grow year-on-year as solar production continues.
Twisted Oak Brewery has replaced their diesel van with an electric one. Between October 2024 and April 2025, they saved over £650 in fuel costs. The electric van costs as little as £0.01 per mile, compared to £0.21 per mile for diesel.
These grants have not only funded essential upgrades but have also strengthened the capacity of local organisations to serve their communities more sustainably and inclusively.
Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council's Cabinet Member responsible for the economy, said: "This funding is helping local organisations become greener, more resilient, and better equipped to deliver services in their communities. The scale and diversity of the projects supported show just how much potential exists in our rural areas when given the right support."
The success of this round shows the importance of continued investment in rural resilience, innovation, and local infrastructure.
The next round of funding that will be available for applications until 12 noon on Friday 1 August.: Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) | North Somerset Council