A new scheme designed to improve the look of ground-floor retail properties in the borough’s town centres is being launched.
Trafford Council’s Trafford Town Centre Shop Improvement Grant Scheme is now open to applications. A total of £150,000 is available for the scheme from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which manages the city-region’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation.
The funds will be available to support the improvement of ground floor retail properties in Trafford’s four town centres. The capital scheme is open to new and existing businesses which are looking to make significant improvements to their premises which results in a positive impact on the town centre.
The scheme can provide a one-off grant of up to £10,000 to support of up to 50 per cent of the refurbishment costs of town centre retail premises in Altrincham, Sale, Stretford, and Urmston. The grant can be used toward the cost of building and renovation works, as well as investments that will reduce the carbon footprint of the property or improve the customer experience for people with accessibility issues.
The fund will support the start-up of new businesses and the sustainability of existing businesses, 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 are extremely proud of our town centres here in Trafford and we are committed to making them look even better than they already are. The Trafford Town Centre Shop Improvement Grant Scheme is a superb opportunity for businesses to improve their shop fronts for the good of themselves and the town centre.
“I encourage as many businesses as possible to apply for this grant funding – it will make a huge difference. Thank you to our Inclusive Economy and Communities team for sourcing the funding for this scheme.”
The Inclusive Economy and Communities Team can advise and support applicants with initial enquiries and project application stages to ensure projects submitted for funding align to place making priorities for the town centres. Interested parties can find out more and apply on the Government’s Find a Grant website. Visit GOV.UK and search ‘Trafford’.
A grant Q&A webinar will be announced soon. If you would like to be notified of the webinar register your interest by emailing ukspf@trafford.gov.uk.
Potential applicants are urged to submit applications quickly as the application window closes on 30 September or when all funding is awarded, whichever is sooner. For further information contact business@trafford.gov.uk.
Posted on Tuesday 26th March 2024