UK: Shopfront Improvement Grant Program

Aim

The aim of this grant scheme is to assist business property owners to invest in their buildings and improve the quality of the building stock in the district. This will, in turn, make their towns and villages more attractive for people to visit and invest, shop and live in. Therefore, it is important that improvements carried out within this scheme are appropriate to the character and age of the host building and high standards of materials and workmanship are used, especially within the conservation areas.

Objectives

Arun District Council (hereafter referred to as ‘the council’) is particularly interested in funding projects which:

• improve the complete street facing property façade
• impact positively on the overall streetscape/townscape
• tackle prominent buildings or blocks of buildings, therefore achieving greater impact for the townscape
• repair/reinstate traditional architectural/historic features of a building, using traditional materials, where appropriate
• provide a high-quality design element to modern buildings

Priority will be given to projects that will enhance the complete front elevation of the building.

Works to the side or rear of a building will only be funded if they are clearly visible from the street and if they are associated with an overall project which includes improvements to the front façade of the same building.

Funding Information

The grant offered will fund 50% of project costs up to a maximum of £2,000. Applicants must fund 50% of the project costs up to the maximum award and any further costs.

NB: There is no minimum level of grant award.

Eligible Works

Only items that will enhance the exterior, street facing element of the property are eligible for funding. No interior works will be eligible for funding. The council will consider all minor property enhancement works and encourage larger scale projects particularly those considering new shop fronts, with the relevant statutory consent.

Examples of eligible items:

• external painting
• new/replacement rainwater goods (RWG)
• fascia, soffit, bargeboard repairs
• windowsill repairs (wooden/masonry)
• repairs to timber doors/windows
• removal of redundant signage, shutters, wiring, alarms etc.
• removal of vegetation from guttering
• new windows/doors (with appropriate consent)
• traditional timber shop-front repairs
• stone or masonry repairs/repointing
• signage replacement (like-for-like)
• new signage (with planning permission)
• new shop fronts (with planning permission)
• new awnings (with planning permission)
• replacement feature lighting to signs (new lighting may require planning permission)
• repairs of decorative features
• access improvements such as disabled access (with appropriate consent)

NB: This list is not exhaustive and can include any other minor frontage improvements that you can demonstrate will enhance the overall appearance of the streetscape.

Eligibility Criteria

• This scheme allows owners of business properties within the district to apply for shop-front improvement grants. Tenants may also apply with permission from the property owner or agent. The owner’s/agent’s signature will be required on the application form confirming consent for the project works.
• Strictly one grant application to be submitted per property. Where an individual wishes to apply for works to more than one property, separate applications must be submitted for each property address.
• Priority will be given to independent retailers.

For more information, visit Arun District Council.