Tourism businesses across Flintshire have benefited from a major programme of investment after two rounds of business funding delivered by Cadwyn Clwyd.
Since 2023, the social enterprise has worked with businesses across the county through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), in partnership with Flintshire County Council and Business Wales.
The two rounds of UK SPF funding has enabled businesses to invest in equipment, technology, new facilities and sustainability measures, helping them diversify, improve productivity and develop their businesses.
With the latest round of 2025-2026 SPF funding, the Flintshire Tourism Growth Fund, it has supported 19 enterprises through grants of up to £17,500 per business.
The programme has seen businesses adopt new technologies and processes, safeguard jobs and invest in greener ways of working, including solar panels and improved energy systems.
Cadwyn Clwyd's Tourism Business Project Officer, Kath Lewis, said the results demonstrated the appetite among Flintshire businesses to invest and grow.
She said:
“Across the two rounds of SPF funding we have invested £929,000 in 50 Flintshire businesses and helped unlock a further £398,000 of investment from the businesses themselves.
“That means more than £1.3 million has been invested in local tourism businesses, helping them put their plans into action, improve productivity, introduce new technology and become more sustainable.
“The latest SPF 2025-2026 Tourism Growth Fund alone awarded £267,251 to 19 enterprises, with 15 businesses adopting new technologies or processes, 16 jobs safeguarded and 15 projects incorporating green measures.
“These figures demonstrate the real impact that targeted investment can have and the ambition that exists within Flintshire's tourism business community.”
One of the businesses to benefit was Yvonne's Café in Connah's Quay, which received funding to upgrade its outdoor seating area and install solar panels.
Owner, Yvonne Marland, said:
“What I love most about running the café is the variety of customers we meet each day, from dog walkers and cyclists to local tradespeople, delivery drivers and tourists.
“We're very fortunate to be consistently busy, particularly in the summer months, so the outdoor seating area means we can welcome even more customers – especially cyclists and dog walkers who may prefer to sit outside with their pets and equipment.
“And the installation of solar panels has halved our outgoings, which has been a huge relief. The application process via Cadwyn Clwyd has been smooth from beginning to end, and we're proud to be playing our part in making Flintshire a more sustainable place to live, work and visit.”
Other businesses have also used the funding to increase capacity and improve what they offer customers and visitors.
The Smithy Bakery installed a new oven which has doubled its production capacity, while Park in the Past invested in additional facilities for visitors to its outdoor recreational site.
Businesses supported represented a broad cross section of Flintshire's tourism economy, including hospitality, arts and recreation, retail and visitor services.
Kath added:
“For some businesses, the grant allowed them to bring forward investments they had been considering for several years. For others, it made an investment possible that simply could not have gone ahead without financial support.
“These are locally owned businesses investing their own money alongside the grant support, and that investment helps strengthen Flintshire's wider visitor economy.”
Cadwyn Clwyd is now looking to build on its SPF business support, with further investment potentially on the way for businesses across North-East Wales.
Cadwyn Clwyd Company Manager, Lowri Owain, said:
“The results of the Shared Prosperity Fund show what can be achieved when public investment is used to unlock additional private sector investment and give businesses the confidence to grow.
“We are now in the final stages of securing a further £1 million investment through the UK Local Growth Fund for Flintshire. If successful, this will allow us to build on what has already been achieved and support more start-ups and SMEs to invest in equipment, technology, innovation and business growth.
“The aim is to continue unlocking investment that makes a genuine difference to individual businesses and contributes to stronger, more productive and resilient local economies.”
Cadwyn Clwyd will also be holding free drop-in information sessions for businesses interested in finding out more about the forthcoming Local Growth Fund grants in Flintshire.
The sessions will provide an opportunity to speak directly with the Cadwyn Clwyd team, learn more about the funding available, discuss potential projects and ask questions about eligibility and the application process.
- Monday 21 September 2026 | 1.00pm–6.00pm
Springfield Hotel, Pentre Halkyn - Tuesday 22 September 2026 | 9.30am–1.00pm
St David's Park Hotel, Ewloe
The sessions are free to attend and no appointment is necessary – businesses can simply drop in at any time during the advertised hours.
