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Grant Brings New Retailers to Market Town

17/05/2010

Barnard Castle’s high street is bucking the national trend for high numbers of empty shops with four new independent outlets opening within a few weeks.

With grant support from Barnard Castle Vision’s Shop Front Improvement Scheme, a retro shop, clothes outlet, hairdressers and cycle shop have opened in previously vacant shops in the central retail area of the town.  

Annalisa Ward, coordinator of Barney Guild, a forum of local retailers who work together to develop and market the town’s retail offering, said: “Barnard Castle’s new retailers all have a genuine passion for what they do, and are determined to be hugely successful.  Often it is the cost of fitting out the shop that is prohibitive.  The opening of four new high street shops is testament to Barnard Castle Vision’s strategy to ensure that the right support is available for Barnard Castle’s businesses, to the benefit of the whole town.”

Vicki Nattrass has already opened ‘The Factory Store’ in Whitley Bay and Chester-le-Street, supplying discounted ladies’ clothing.  She opened her new store on Market Place at the end of April, and is planning to complete interior and exterior decoration of the shop in the coming months.  She commented: “I haven’t found anything remotely like the grants available from Barnard Castle Vision anywhere else.  The application form is straightforward, and the grants available make applying well worthwhile.  Other places should follow Barnard Castle Vision’s example.

“The customers in Barnard Castle have been so enthusiastic.  It’s been a really positive first few weeks, with customers coming back regularly as we receive new stock all the time.”

Richard Varcoe, a former RAF engineer, has opened Spitfire Cycles on The Bank, catering for the many cyclists who enjoy the terrain of Teesdale and Weardale.  The shop offers bicycle sales, repairs and upgrades as well as cycling accessories.  He said: “There’s a long history of cycling in Barnard Castle, and with the surrounding area offering some fantastic rides it’s an ideal location.  Once we knew the grants were available from Barnard Castle Vision, Spitfire Cycles became a genuinely viable option.  We are delighted with the store’s appearance, and its interior is entirely fit for purpose.”

Suzanne Thomas has opened a vintage retro shop, My Generation, on Market Place.  She said: “There’s a green ethos behind our business, we want to ensure that beautiful objects find a new home where they will be valued.

“Barnard Castle Vision has provided real and very accessible help, and without their assistance my shop would still be an idea, rather than a reality.  The Vision analysed the risks to our high street a few years ago, and put in place appropriate measures.  Not only has the grant scheme been invaluable in launching our business, but the Vision staff have also been readily available with any advice required.”

Vikki Parkin recently opened The Zhoo on Galgate, a hair studio offering all aspects of hair dressing including extensions and wig-fitting.  She received grant assistance from Barnard Castle Vision for re-wiring, plumbing and building work.  

Vikki said: “The grant was unbelievably helpful - I honestly wouldn’t be here without it.  

“Opening The Zhoo is the best thing I have ever done.  The people of Barnard Castle have been incredibly welcoming, and the feedback has been that this is exactly what the town needed.”

Barnard Castle Vision launched its Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme in April 2009, and has extended the scheme into the current financial year.  All retailers can take advantage of this aid to restore and improve the look of their premises, both inside and out, and for small internal repairs.  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, up to a total of £2,000.

A second grant was launched in October 2009 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.  

As well as the four independent retailers, Scottish-based cooperative Semichem has also opened in Market Place.