The Hospitality Grant Scheme, which was originally announced at the start of this year by former chancellor Rachel Reeves to support pubs across the UK through £10m of funding spread over three years, has now been launch and extended to include “family-run restaurants and neighbourhood cafés”.

The funding aims to back entrepreneurs starting new businesses, support training schemes giving young people their first jobs and help trusted community venues to adapt and grow. For example, the Hospitality Sector Council and innovation lab specialist L Marks brought together hospitality businesses and leading technology companies to find new ways to boost productivity in the industry, leading to hours of work being saved and reduced costs.

Jane O’Riordan, co-chair of the Hospitality Sector Council, said: “We welcome the launch of this grant scheme, which builds on a successful pilot and demonstrates what can be achieved when government and industry work together. The flexible funding will help support innovative projects that boost productivity and sustainability, create opportunities for young people and those furthest from the labour market, and deliver the shared priorities of the Hospitality Sector Council and the wider sector.” More than £3m of the funding is earmarked for Pub is The Hub, an independent non-profit organisation helping pubs in rural and deprived areas to diversify their services and activities.