The deadline for town centre traders in seven areas of Trafford to bid for grants to help give their premises a makeover has been extended.
Applications for the Trafford Town Centre Shop Improvement Grant Scheme are open until Monday 29 September to make sure all funds are allocated.
A total of £220,000 in Government funding is available for the programme via Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
New and established businesses can apply for up to £10,000 to boost the improvement of ground floor retail premises, on the condition that they match the amount from their own funds.
As projects need to be completed before March 2026, any proposals must have planning permission and any other necessary permissions in place if required, before applications are made.
Traders in Altrincham, Hale, Sale, Sale Moor, Stretford, Timperley and Urmston centres are all eligible to apply.
Money can be spent on building and renovation works, measures to help meet low carbon targets and work to make premises more accessible to people with disabilities.
The aim is to support new start-up businesses and help existing ones thrive – which in turn will create new jobs and improve the economic growth and wellbeing of Trafford.
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said:
“We want to help as many businesses as possible to give their premises the wow factor. Anyone with a ground-floor premises in an eligible town centre can apply.
“This is part of our work to make sure our town centres are as inviting and enticing as possible, meeting our Council objective to foster a thriving local economy.”
In its first two years, the scheme has helped 41 businesses create 28 new full time equivalent jobs, improved 2,206 square metres of commercial floorspace and saved 45,000kg of carbon.