Free Resource
How to Fund Your Town's Website
A practical guide to grants, council budgets, and funding sources that can pay for your town's tourism website.
You don't have to pay out of pocket
Most town councils assume a tourism website has to come from the precept. But there are grants, levies, and funding pots specifically designed for this kind of community digital project. Here's where to look.
Funding Sources
Here are the most common ways UK market towns fund their tourism websites.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
Government funding for community projects. Tourism website projects can qualify under the 'community and place' investment priority.
Rural England Prosperity Fund
Specifically for rural and semi-rural areas. Digital infrastructure and tourism promotion projects are eligible.
BID Levy Funding
If your town has a Business Improvement District, website development often falls within the BID's remit for marketing and promotion.
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Excellent for heritage trail projects. The fund supports projects that connect people with local heritage.
Precept / Council Budget
Many town councils allocate budget for digital projects through the annual precept. A website is a legitimate community investment.
CIL / Section 106
Community Infrastructure Levy funds can sometimes be used for digital community infrastructure including tourism websites.
Tips for a Successful Application
- 1Start early — most funding cycles have deadlines months in advance.
- 2Frame it as tourism infrastructure, not just a website.
- 3Demonstrate community benefit and visitor economic impact.
- 4Get quotes and proposals ready before applying.
- 5Partner with your local BID or Chamber of Commerce for joint applications.
- 6We can help write the digital/technical sections of your application.
Need help with your funding application?
We can help write the technical sections and provide quotes for your grant application. Get in touch for a free consultation.