An award-winning film and media marketing company has been handed a funding boost from Stafford Borough Council to help expand its business.
Lilac Howell Films has received around £5,000 to help purchase new equipment, which the firm hopes will boost its offer to clients.
The money has come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and is part of the government’s Levelling Up agenda.
The borough council successfully bid for £4,673,295 from the scheme – one of the largest pots of money awarded in the country – after successfully putting forward schemes to help regeneration, climate change and culture.
Lilac Howell Films was founded in 2010 and is based on the outskirts of Stafford. The company’s aim is to find new ways of bringing digital communications, marketing and advertising services together to help business clients grow.
Using the ‘Rural Business to Business Grant’ the company is purchasing equipment to incorporate 360-degree video production to its package for businesses and public services. The move will provide an alternative to classroom and remote training, using VR goggles.
Lilac Howell Managing Director Steve Cranston said the service would reduce their clients’ carbon footprint and they will be targeting the heavily regulated construction and engineering sectors that have significant training requirements.
Steve added: “We are grateful for this funding from the borough council which will help us to purchase camera equipment as well as other technological equipment to develop our service.”
Councillor Ant Reid, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning, said: “Our allocation was one of the highest that any district council was awarded and is further demonstration of the confidence the government has in us to deliver for our businesses.
“There are so many exciting things planned, starting up or ongoing, in our borough and we are pleased to have been able to support Lilac Howell Films and I hope this funding will help them continue to grow.
For more details of funding available to businesses go to www.staffordbc.gov.uk/rural-business-business-funding
