Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme

PLEASE NOTE: Due to high demand the Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme has been temporarily closed to new applicants.

Further information will be provided on this webpage in due course.

Ribble Valley Borough Council have allocated £50,000 for a Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme, with the aim of supporting local businesses and improving the environment.

The aim of the scheme is to improve the local shopping centres at Clitheroe, Whalley and Longridge, ultimately encouraging more people to visit and develop the economic benefits to the shopping parade and town.

The scheme also aims to reduce vacancy rates and encourage landlords to bring empty shops back into use.

Funding eligibility

Independent businesses in the eligible centres can apply for a grant of up to £5,000, 70% match funding to improve the visual appearance of their shop front.

Independent retail shops within the defined main centres of Clitheroe, Longridge and Whalley (as defined within the Housing and Economic Development DPD Proposals Map) will be eligible to apply.

Eligibility criteria

All applications that meet the criteria below will be assessed by the Economic Development team on a first come first served basis with written decisions issued following the consideration.

Please note that the grants are discretionary and subject to the availability of funds; the inclusion of a building within an eligible area does not give any automatic entitlement to a grant.

Both property owners and tenants are eligible to apply. Applications from tenants must be supported by written consent from the appropriate landlord.

PIlease note, the scheme will not support works which have already been undertaken, or any works which are started prior to a formal offer of grant funding being made.

Funding criteria

Grants cannot include contributions towards recoverable VAT.  Unless otherwise agreed, grant funding can only support ground floor works.

Priorities of the scheme

• To enhance the aesthetic appeal of retail areas/centres in the town
• To assist in bringing any vacant units back into use
• To encourage additional footfall in the parades
• To assist in providing a vibrant and mixed retail offer

Who can apply

The Shop Front Grant Scheme is open to all owners and leaseholders, with at least 3 years left on their lease, within the eligible retail areas listed above.

Only businesses within the identified retail areas are eligible for this funding.

Eligible commercial premises include:

• Retailers e.g., green grocers, butchers, and bakeries
• Services provision e.g., hairdressers, beauty salons, funeral directors, launderettes, and dry cleaners
• Financial and professional services e.g., accountants, estate agents and solicitors
• Restaurants, public houses, cafes, and food takeaways
• Buildings on the parade that provide a community service

The following organisations/businesses are ineligible:

• National retailers/chains/multiples or any business with more than three locations
• National charities
• Betting shops/pawnbrokers

This grant will not fund:

• Recurring revenue costs (including salaries, stock, rent or utility charges)
• Repaying existing loans or debts
• Where other public funding has been accessed for refurbishment of the premises

Relevant Permissions

It is likely that where alterations are proposed to the external appearance of the property, one or more of the following will be required:

• Planning Permission – will be required for new shop fronts or any other alterations which will materially affect the external appearance of a building.
• Advertisement Consent – to display a fascia, canopy or other sign on the exterior of a building.
• Building Regulation Approval – where material alterations are to be carried out.
• Listed Building Consent – for any alterations that affect the character of a listed building.

Please note that planning applications can take up to 8 weeks to be determined and this should be taken into consideration when planning works.

Decision process

Applications will be considered by the Economic Development team who will meet once a month, and a decision will be made on your application as soon as possible at that meeting. If further information is required, you will be contacted.

Consideration will be given to:

• The extent of the proposed works & the overall impact on the individual building.
• The potential overall impact on the wider street scene (particularly where a number of consecutive businesses are proposing to undertake improvements).
• The extent to which the application will enhance the historical character of a building- where appropriate (e.g. the restoration of original architectural features/ reinstatement of a more traditional shopfront).
• The extent to which the application will improve accessibility for customers.
• The extent to which the application will improve security for the premises.

All grant offers will be made in writing. If your project requires planning permission and your grant is approved, we will write to you making an in-principle offer of funding, we will then issue a formal grant offer letter as soon as permission is granted. Full details of the conditions that apply to the grant will be set out in the grant offer letter.

All grants will be conditional on you securing appropriate planning consent. The scheme operates independently of the planning process and any offer of a grant does not imply that planning consent will be granted.

Grant conditions

• Grants are discretionary and Ribble Valley Borough Council reserves the right to withhold payment of the grant in whole or part if any condition of the offer letter has been breached.
• The applicant must hold a business bank account (a ‘trading as’ account is acceptable).
• The applicant must have all the necessary permissions and licenses to operate the business or make changes to the premises (e.g. changes to signage or shop frontage decoration may need planning consent).
• By accepting the grant, you agree to be involved with Ribble Valley Borough Council on any publicity e.g. press releases and photographs, interviews.
• The applicant must not have any other outstanding debts payable to Ribble Valley Borough Council.
• All grant decisions are at the discretion of the Director of Economic Development and Planning and Economic Development team.
• All applications will be assessed on the criteria and priorities of the scheme.
• All the necessary statutory approvals and legal requirement must be complied with before grants can be claimed.
• The grant is repayable should any of the conditions be breached or if the project is not implemented in full.
• Grants will be limited to one per business.
• The applicant/business needs to be financially solvent.
• You will be required to maintain the property to a satisfactory standard for a minimum of five years.

Offer of the grant

An offer of grant must be accepted within 20 working days of receipt of the offer letter by returning a copy of the offer of grant letter signed by the applicant. After this date the offer will be automatically withdrawn.

Payment of grant

A Shop front Improvement Grant will be paid upon completion of the project, and when the works have been completed in accordance with the agreed schedule of works, the conditions attached to the grant offer, and any conditions attached to other permissions or consents (determined by an inspection by the Council Officers)

The Applicant will be required to submit:

• A Shop front Improvement Grant Claim Form.
• Original invoices submitted by contractors and suppliers clearly stating the nature of works carried out or goods/ services supplied, and an itemised breakdown of invoiced costs. The breakdown must clearly identify VAT element on all items.
• Proof that contractors and suppliers have been paid.
• Confirmation of business bank account into which grant can be paid

Please ensure you keep all invoices as evidence, as you will be required to submit to Ribble Valley Borough Council.

Please do not start work prior to receipt of your offer letter start date as invoices dated before the date of the offer letter will not be eligible for payment.

If the actual costs are less that those outlined in the application and agreed in the offer letter, payment will be restricted to the actual amount in accordance with the receipted invoices.

If the costs of the proposed project exceed the maximum grant awarded as agreed in the offer letter, Ribble Valley Borough Council is not obliged to increase the grant amount.

Payment of the grant will be made into the applicant’s business bank account (or ‘trading as’ account) via BACS.

Repayment of grant

Ribble Valley Borough Council reserves the right to recover all or part of the grant (upto 2 years after the grant is claimed) it has provided if:

• Works on the new shopfront are not commenced within the timescale specified within the grant offer letter.
• The business is sold or ceases to trade for whatever reason within a 6-month period from receipt of the grant.
• The business relocates outside the boundaries of Ribble Valley Borough Council within a 6-month period from receipt of the grant.
• Information provided in the application form or other correspondence is found to be substantially incorrect, misleading, or incomplete
• Any of the works funded by the Shop front Improvement Grant are not properly maintained or are altered in any way.
• The applicant removes any part of the features that have been funded through the Shop front Improvement Grant.