Ipswich Borough Council has been awarded £2.4m as part of the Government’s Towns Fund to improve Local Shopping Parades in Ipswich.
Significant amounts of work have been identified for each Parade, including a need 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 parades street scene, ultimately encouraging more people to visit and develop the economic benefits to the 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 Shopping Parades can apply for a grant of up to £5,000 to improve the visual appearance of their shop front, through Towns Deal funding. 50% of the funding will be paid upfront from Ipswich Borough Council, with the remaining 50% paid on completion of the shop front improvement works.
Shopping parades eligible for this funding
Eligibility criteria
All applications that meet the criteria below will be assessed by a grant panel on a first come first served basis with written decisions issued following these panel meetings.
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 5 years left on their lease within the eligible parades list above.
Only businesses at the above shopping parades 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
Funding Criteria
Businesses can apply for funding for (this list is not exhaustive):
• External redecoration
• New external windows doors
• External signage
• External lighting (e.g., swan neck or backlighting)
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
How to apply
To apply, email: town.fund@ipswich.gov.uk
The applicant will need to complete the application form and provide supporting documentation, this should include (where appropriate):
Supporting Information
The closing date for applications is Monday 7 November 2024.
Decision Process
Applications will be considered by a grant panel 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.
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:
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
Repayment of Grant
Ipswich Borough Council reserves the right to recover all or part of the grant it has provided if: