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Grants ease business expansion

26/02/2010

A local florist has ‘upsized’ to a shop on Horsemarket in Barnard Castle, with help from the Shop Front Grant Scheme run by Barnard Castle Vision.

Francesca Waring opened the Star Flowers florists shop on the town’s main street at the end of January, 2010.  She has relocated from a smaller unit on Star Yard, where she launched her business four years ago.

Francesca made use of the Shop Front grant scheme which was extended in the Autumn of last year to provide small repairs grants and to help a business take over an empty premises. The shop she now occupies had been empty for some months.  The interior has been fitted to suit her needs.  Exterior painting and window vinyls will complete the shop’s appearance, and this work will be completed when warmer weather allows.

The Barney Guild’s co-coordinator Annalisa Ward said: “The new Star Flowers is a great addition to our town’s high street - it is good to watch an independent business grow.  We know that refitting a shop can be a considerable expense, but the grants are available to help and the end result will be a smarter, more welcoming, and ultimately more profitable retail centre for Barnard Castle.

“We are currently aware of a number of independent businesses interested in premises in Barnard Castle, and are ensuring they know of the grants available to help.  Alongside these, there are a number of on-going schemes aimed at promoting Barnard Castle as a shopping destination and encouraging people to visit the town.  Barney Guild will continue to work with the retailers to ensure the vibrancy of our historic market town.”

Francesca said: “The grants have made the move so much more affordable, and I’m so glad I was encouraged to apply.  I was originally very cautious, believing that grants are hard to secure and involve hours of work to complete the form.  Barney Guild guided me through the straightforward application and the grant was quickly approved.  It’s a simple but effective scheme, and I whole-heartedly recommend it.

“Barnard Castle is a town with masses of potential and I believe we’ll watch it flourish in the next few years.  The grants are available to support the business community and I hope many more people are encouraged to apply.”

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.  

In response to difficulties faced by retailers in the current economic climate, the scheme was extended in October 2009 to incorporate two new grants.  The first is a small repairs grant to assist with minor works such as joinery repairs and painting to improve the appearance of premises.  This fund has been capped at £10,000 and applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis.  The grants are for 50% of the total costs of work proposed, up to a total of £2,000.

The second grant is to assist with re-modeling empty shops that have a new tenant ready to occupy the premises.  Grants are 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 the grant funds have been allocated.  This grant is subject to the approval of a business plan to ensure that the venture is sustainable.  Further funding will be made available from April 2010.

For further information about the grants, please contact Annalisa Ward on 01833 696263.