Cash Support for Ribble Valley Shops to Help Spruce Up Their Look
Businesses in town centres across Ribble Valley have been given a cash boost to help brighten up their shopfronts and attract more customers.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to high demand the Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme has been temporarily closed to new applicants.
Further information will be provided in due course.
Ribble Valley Borough Council has agreed to offer independent retailers in the main shopping areas of Clitheroe, Longridge and Whalley grants of up to £5,000 towards improving their frontages.
“This move will help support local independent businesses brighten up their shopfronts which will help draw in more customers and improve the overall look of our town centres,” said council leader Councillor Simon Hore, who initially proposed the grant scheme earlier this year.
“Discussions have been taking place over how we can make best use of the council’s capital budget to support and benefit the local economy and this is one of a number of initiatives that have been delivered or in the pipeline.”
Councillor Richard Newmark, chair of the council’s economic development committee, said: “This is a positive step towards helping our local shops when they’re facing ever-increasing competition from online shopping and out-of-town retail centres.
"It will also help to reduce the number of empty shops in our town centres by encouraging landlords to bring vacant premises back into use.”
The council has allocated £50,000 to the shopfront improvement grant scheme and grants will be issued on a first come, first served basis. They will only apply to new schemes, not ongoing or completed work.
Businesses will have to meet certain eligibility criteria in order to access the funding.
Only independent retail businesses within the defined main shopping centres will be eligible to apply. The scheme is open to a wide range of businesses, including retailers, hairdressers and beauty salons, estate agents or café and food takeaways. Both tenants and property owners can apply.
More details can be found at www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/shopfrontgrant or by emailing economicdevelopment@ribblevalley.gov.uk
The closing date for applications is 15th August 2025.