Grants are being made available to fund works to improve shopfronts, including security and signage.

A annual allocation of £250,000 has been approved. The grant will be administered over a three year period running until March 2009 and both rented and owned properties qualify.

Applications will be considered for grants of between £2,500 and £20,000 to fund up to 50% of the cost of the improvements, which ever is lower.

Applicants will have to meet certain criteria to qualify for a grant. These include:-

• good design
• location
• type of business

Please see Downloads for further information.