Torridge offers grants for shop makeovers for a new look in the new year

Apply for a grant from Torridge District Council and get some help to spruce up your premises

Whether your shop needs a new door, a new sign, or a new coat of paint, you can get some help from the council to make it happen. Torridge District Council ’s grants scheme for structural or decorative improvements is open for applications.

Following on from last year’s successful town centre beautification scheme the new funding pot will once again be offering small grants to businesses on a matched funding basis. In 2023 the scheme was focused on town centres and distributed nearly £18k across 24 applications brightening up shop and business frontages, including the reoccupation of three empty premises, creating five new jobs.

In round two there will also be an opportunity for submissions from the gateways into town centres to ensure that the approach is also appealing, as well as the town centre itself.

The money for the scheme will once again be provided through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will be limited to capital improvements up to maximum grant of £1,000 with a 50:50 match funding arrangement.

The project is aimed at encouraging the creation of more attractive towns and enhance their character and appeal while increasing footfall. Encouraging new businesses and projects to occupy currently redundant units is another aim of the scheme. Examples of the type of work businesses might consider includes the possible replacement of shop windows and doors, new signage, painting of shop fronts, replacing gutters and downpipes, and other refurbishments.

There is a deadline of noon on Wednesday, February 7 for the receipt of applications. Any business within the town centres will be eligible to apply, but projects will need to fit in with the local aesthetics of the area and take into consideration other aspects such as conservation areas. If successful projects must be completed by the end of July 2024.

Councillor Bob Hicks, lead member for the economy said: "It was very pleasing to see such a large number of businesses benefit under the previous scheme and the difference this has already made to our town centres. By opening the scheme up to gateways leading into town centres the opportunity is now more widely available this time around.

“The rejuvenation scheme provides business owners with an excellent opportunity to start a new project or take on a bigger scheme that they might be struggling to finance. I would urge business to take note of some of the success stories announced previously and see how their own businesses could benefit.”

For more information on eligibility contact Kirsty Defranceski (town centre project officer) at Torridge District Council on 01237 428919 or email economic.development@torridge.gov.uk if you would like to discuss the scheme further.

The application deadline is Wednesday, February 7 at 12pm, with successful applicants being notified by Wednesday February 14.