Successful grant scheme expanded to benefit even more high street businesses
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Wakefield Council is making grants available to even more businesses across the district to help improve shop security measures.
The Shop Security Grant Scheme currently offers businesses in Wakefield and Castleford up to £6,000 to make improvements to their premises aimed at preventing crime and deterring anti-social behaviour.
“We want to do all we can to help our high street businesses better protect themselves against crime and anti-social behaviour.
“It’s a proactive way to make our high streets safer by deterring criminals and also supports our regeneration plans, to improve our city and town centres.”
Cllr Michael Graham
Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth
Launched as a pilot scheme in Wakefield city centre and Castleford town centre, the scheme was trialled in areas based on crime data. The areas were chosen as they showed the highest recorded number of break-ins and acts of vandalism. From April, this will expand to include Normanton and South Elmsall, based on recent crime statistics. The latest deadline for submission of applications is 31 December 2024.
The scheme offers grants of up to 80% towards the cost of security improvements – up to a maximum of £6,000. To be eligible for grant funding, upgrade proposals must be a minimum of £3,750.
Improvements can include installing security shutters, fitting or upgrading intruder alarms, adding CCTV, and more.
One of the first to benefit from the grant scheme was a Wakefield city centre restaurant. Corarima, an Abyssinian restaurant on Cross Street, received funding from the Shop Security Grant Scheme, enabling them to install CCTV cameras and a new alarm system.
The Shop Security Grant Scheme includes £229,000 of funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is a two-year scheme, funded until March 2025 or until all the grants have been allocated.
Due to financial regulations, the scheme cannot pay for retrospective claims, and any security enhancements already made cannot be considered.
More information about the grant and how to apply is available at: www.wakefield.gov.uk/SSGS