Makeover grants extended to more market towns

Makeover grants extended to more market towns

Town centre traders in Huntingdonshire are set to benefit as the successful Shop Front Grant Scheme funded by the Combined Authority is extended from Huntingdon and St Ives to St Neots and Ramsey.

The scheme, funded by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority’s Market Towns Programme, was visited by the Mayor, Dr Nik Johnson this week.

It is being delivered jointly by Huntingdonshire District Council and BID Huntingdon First.

The grants, already available in the market towns of Huntingdon and St Ives, aim to support eligible businesses in repairing and improving their street-level shop fronts.

The scheme aims to improve the aesthetics and accessibility of high streets, encouraging residents to shop locally, drawing more companies into the area, and pulling tourists into town.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson:

“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.”

Grant applications to Huntingdonshire District Council 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

HDC executive councillor for Job, Economy and Housing, Cllr Sam Wakeford:

“We are thrilled that we are able to 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!”

Paul Sweeney, Huntingdon First Town Manager:

“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!”

For more information on eligibility, and an application form, businesses can visit: https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/people-communities/market-towns-programme/shop-front-grant-scheme