Weather-Proof Your Business: Grants Now Available for Welsh Businesses

Visit Wales has launched another round of the Weather-Proofing Fund, offering grants of up to £20,000 to help small businesses create better all-weather experiences for visitors during the Year of Croeso 2025-2026.

What Can You Apply For?

Grants range from £5,000 to £20,000 and can cover up to 75% of your project costs. The fund supports practical weather-proofing measures that enhance the visitor experience, including:

• Outdoor comfort: Canopies, pergolas, and covered seating areas
• Better access: Covered walkways, visitor shelters, and hard standing for car parks
• All-weather pathways: Woodchip or gravel paths
• Indoor alternatives: Indoor play areas when the weather turns

These improvements must be accessible to all members of the public visiting your venue. This fund is about enhancing the experience for all your visitors, not just exclusive facilities for staying guests for example.

What’s Not Covered

• Nothing you’ve already purchased or paid for
• Day-to-day costs like marketing, overheads, or staff wages
• General repairs and maintenance
• Heat control measures
• Stock and consumables
• Professional fees (except planning/architect fees directly related to your project)

Is Your Business Eligible?

You can apply if your business:

• Operates in the tourism or hospitality sector in Wales
• Employs between 1-49 permanent, year-round staff (PAYE)
• Has been trading for at least one year
• Has an online presence (website, social media, or listings on sites like TripAdvisor) showing you attract visitors from outside your local area

Important note: If you received funding in Phase 1 of this scheme, you’re not eligible for Phase 2.

The Timeline

• Application closing date: 5pm on 10th November 2025
• Project completion deadline: All work must be finished, paid for, and claimed by 13th March 2026

That gives you roughly four months to complete your project once approved, so it’s worth having your plans ready before applying.

Other Funding Options

While the Weather-Proofing Fund is ideal for immediate, practical improvements, it’s not the only support available for Welsh tourism businesses. Visit Wales also offers:

• Wales Tourism Investment Fund (WTIF): For larger-scale tourism projects
• Brilliant Basics: Supporting foundational business improvements

For broader business finance advice and finding the right funding type for your needs, Business Wales offers comprehensive guidance and support.

Ready to Apply?

Download the guidance notes and application form from the Visit Wales website, and if you have questions, reach out to the team at [email protected].

The deadline is fast approaching—make sure your application is in by 5pm on 10th November 2025.