Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) is pleased to announce that the Shop Front Grant Scheme is being extended to St Neots and Ramsey town centres.
The scheme is funded by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) and is being delivered jointly by BID Huntingdon First and HDC.
The grants can be used to support local businesses to repair and improve their shop fronts. The scheme aims to improve the aesthetics and accessibility of our high streets, encouraging residents to shop locally and attract more local businesses to the area.
Applications will be reviewed monthly, and examples of improvements include, but are not limited to:
-
repairs
-
improving accessibility
-
repainting
-
signage
-
external lighting
-
repair of external stonework and brickwork
-
repair and reinstatement of guttering and down-pipes
-
window display equipment and lighting
-
professional fees.
All proposals will be subject to the planning approval process, and applicants are encouraged to use our pre-application advice service.
Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy and Housing, Cllr Sam Wakeford, said: "We are thrilled that we can now extend this popular scheme into St Neots and Ramsey town centres. The scheme has been a success in St Ives and Huntingdon, and I look forward to seeing that replicated. The scheme provides our independent business owners with a great opportunity to make their business even more attractive and help encourage more residents and visitors into the towns to enjoy the great shops St Neots and Ramsey have to offer!"
The Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, said: "Community and commerce, this initiative scores for both. The Combined Authority is massively committed to the market towns and this scheme has been a real winner. Extending it widens opportunity, making these town centres ever more attractive to visitors, shoppers, investors, new businesses, and to the residents who love where they live.
"Shopfronts are windows into the heart of a whole historic community. Their look and feel reflects heritage and pride of place and our support helps develop their future."
Paul Sweeney, Huntingdon First Town Manager said: "We at BID Huntingdon First are really pleased to see the Shop Front Grant Scheme rolled out to the remaining market towns in the district. The fund has been really well received in Huntingdon and St Ives and we have seen some incredible work go into improving the aesthetics of some local businesses.
"Working together across the district makes our entire area a place that we can all be proud to call home. The fund isn't just aimed at aesthetics, it can also be used to improve accessibility in our towns which is a great addition to the scheme. I’m looking forward to seeing the improvements in Ramsey and St Neots!"
View more information on eligibility and an application form.