A NEW scheme to help boost small Richmondshire businesses has welcomed its first members.

Yorebridge House in Bainbridge has received cash from the district council initiative – which has £30,000 in funding to help small businesses take on new apprentices.

Henry Nel, Sophie Egglestone and Nathan Louw will all increase their qualifications in the hospitality industry. The boutique hotel has received £3,344 towards their apprenticeship courses and uniform.

The scheme aims to encourage economic growth, develop home-grown talent and retain young people in the district.

It is open to local businesses that employ 50 people of less – with priority given to those with less than 20 members of staff; and have an annual turnover of less than £50m.

Council leader Yvonne Peacock said: “Encouraging economic growth in a rural area like ours is challenging - but developing home grown talent or retaining young, ambitious members of staff who would have to leave the area to find skilled work fits with our economic action plan,”