Grants of up to £10,000 are on offer to help improve the appearance of businesses in Droitwich Spa and Evesham.
The Wychavon Business Front Improvement Grant is aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses in the qualifying area of both town centres, to upgrade the look of their premises.
Community organisations and commercial landlords can also apply for the funding. Support on offer ranges from £500 to £10,000. Businesses will be expected to fund at least 50 per cent of a project from their own money. New start-ups filling an empty unit can apply as well as existing businesses.
The money can be used to pay for work including business front repairs visible from the street, repainting in heritage colours, new signage in keeping with the character of the area, lighting and fabric roller blind awnings and canopies.
The grant cannot be used for things such as day-to-day running costs, advertising, work carried out before a grant offer has been made, equipment and furniture.
Applications will be assessed on criteria including how much a project will help boost footfall, encourage occupancy of empty units, fit with Wychavon’s Shop Front Design Guide and help improve the perception of the town centre. The location of the business, value for money, quality of the work and overall visual impact of the work will also be considered.
The grant scheme is being overseen by the Evesham and Droitwich Spa Place Boards, set up as part of Wychavon commissioned town centre investment prospectuses. The scheme is funded from Wychavon’s share of the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Cllr Bradley Thomas, Leader of Wychavon District Council, said: “We know how a business and a place appears is a key factor when people decide where they are going to shop or do business. That’s why we’re supporting businesses to make any necessary changes that will not only benefit their business but boost the appearance of our town centres to everybody’s benefit.”
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/wychavon-business-front-improvement-grant to find out more about the grant and how to apply.
