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Shop Front Scheme Extended in Time of Recession

23/10/2009

Barnard Castle Vision has announced that its Shop Front Scheme has been extended to be of maximum benefit to the local community during the economic downturn.

The Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme was established in April 2009 to offer retailers in Barnard Castle the chance to gain financial aid to restore and improve the look of their premises, both inside and out.

Since it began, the scheme has already received applications for a number of projects across the town which are now underway, including Boyes’ Shopfront in the Horsemarket.

In response to the difficulties that retailers are facing in the current economic climate, the scheme has recently been expanded to incorporate two new types of grant. The first grant is a small repairs grant to assist with minor works to improve the appearance of premises, such as joinery repairs and painting. This fund has been capped at a total of £10,000 and application will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. The Grants will be made at a rate of 50% of the total costs of work proposed, up to a maximum of £2,000.

The second grant is to assist with re-modelling empty shops that have a new tenant ready to occupy the premises. Grants will be made to support the new exterior and interior of a building, up to a maximum of £15,000 on the basis of a grant rate of 75% of the total costs, until all grant funds have been allocated. This grant will be subject to the approval of a business plan to ensure that the venture is sustainable. Further funding will also be made available from April 2010.

Annalisa Ward from Barnard Castle Vision commented: “Boyes is one of the first shops to benefit from the Vision’s new Shop Front Improvement Scheme. The Vision recognises that this is a particularly tough economic climate for our retailers at the moment and with this in mind we are keen to help however we can. The extended grant scheme offers maximum financial assistance to help our retailers to remain as competitive as possible during the time ahead.”

From a total grant fund of £80,000 announced in April, a quarter has so far been committed to applications that are currently in progress. Of the remaining funds, £10,000 is set aside for small repairs and £50,000 is intended for overall improvements to existing or empty shops.

For further information please contact Annalisa Ward on 01833 696263.