GRANTS TO BOOST BUSINESS

Independent retailers looking to revitalise their town centre shop fronts are being encouraged to apply for district council funding through a new scheme.

Newark and Sherwood District Council has launched a scheme to make money available to those independent retail businesses in Newark, Southwell and Ollerton who want to make a visible improvement to ground floor shops or retail units.

The improvement grants are for up to £1,000 for the renovation and/or improvement of shop fronts. Anyone who wants to apply will need to show a definite need for the improvement which will benefit the business and make a visible improvement to the town centre. The grants can cover professional painting and decorating services, repair and the replacement of fascias and signs.

To highlight the launch the improvement grants, the shop windows at the currently empty premises of 37 Cartergate and 34 Lombard Street in Newark have been adorned with images promoting the district. Cartergate features tourism highlights from around the district of Newark and Sherwood and the new vinyl window dressings at Lombard Street show some of the produce and items available from independent retailers in Newark.

The idea behind the windows at Cartergate and Lombard Street is to boost the look of currently empty shops, revitalising trips into town, while promoting the district to people living, working and visiting the area.

The shop front improvement grants and the decorative shop window projects have been completely funded by a £3m Department for Communities and Local Government scheme to help boost town centres during the recession. Newark and Sherwood District Council was awarded £52,632.

The shop front grants are only available to independent retailers - larger chains or multiple retail organisations will not qualify.

For independent shops (or homes) based in listed or historic buildings, there is extra funding available from the district council’s repairs and historic buildings grant. To qualify the building must be listed or be a historic building within the conservation area. Grants are at 20% for homeowners or 25% for businesses up to a max of £2,000.

The council is also using some of the money provided by the Department for Communities and Local Government to provide street entertainment to boost Newark, Ollerton and Southwell town centres on Saturdays during the summer.