FIFTEEN small businesses in York have been awarded a cash boost to support their post-Covid recovery.

The firms which have each secured £1,000 are now vying to be among the top three, selected by a public vote from Monday, for a further injection of funding.

They had to make their case for how they would use the money when they applied to the newly-established York Restart Fund.

The fund was set up by First Bus York with the backing of the Federation of Small Businesses in North Yorkshire to help operators in consumer sectors, including retail, leisure and hospitality, as they reopen after lockdown.

The judges included Marc Bichtemann, managing director of First Bus York, and Carolyn Frank and Simon Williams, of the FSB, who reviewed more than 100 applications.

The successful candidates include a range of trading activities, from homeware, coffee houses, bars, beauty salons, dairies, bakeries, gifts, hats, arts and crafts, artefacts and accommodation.

The 15 winners are: Bish Bash Pot, Caseys Coffee, Fossgate Social, Glamour Glow and Glisten, Granary Art House, Hilda & Jane’s A Bit of What You Fancy, Just Smile Designs, O+M Snowhome, Paul Dawson Coins, Soul Organic, Studio 12, The Braithwaite Gallery, The Hat Shop, The Little Yorkshire Candle Company, and Yoghurt Delights.

Marc said: “We were overwhelmed by the interest in the fund and it helped to generate many innovative and dynamic ideas. This made it very difficult in choosing which ones to give the financial support.

“This cash boost will help grow thriving and successful independent small businesses on the streets of the city and our outlying communities which are a vital and uplifting part of York’s recovery from lockdown.”

Carolyn said: “It was clear from reading the entries that whilst the pandemic has had a severe impact on trade, York’s businesses are now firmly focused on the future and welcoming their customers back to the city. The York Restart Fund is helping them to do that by supporting business improvements.”

The People’s Choice vote begins on Monday, May 17 and runs until Thursday, May 20 with the top three businesses awarded £2,500, £1,500 and £1,000.

Voting will be done at www.firstbus.co.uk/restartfundpeopleschoice showcasing the 15 businesses and their owners, and also from ‘Likes’ posted on @FirstBusYork Instagram.

Marc added: “Every one of these businesses deserves support, so all I can say is get online and vote.”