A new grants scheme has been launched by Ashford Borough Council to support businesses to improve the visual appearance of Ashford Town Centre and to support them to improve their premises or attract investment into empty units.
The Ashford Town Centre Support Grants is made up of two grant streams:
Shop Improvement Grant:
A grant of up to £3,000 for a business that can demonstrate they are due to undertake needed improvements to their premises in the town centre. This grant covers 75% of the costs and can help fund external renovations to premises such as repainting, repairs, signage, or internal repairs and improvements, the installation of energy efficiency measures and non-fixed improvements such as commercial furniture or appliances.
Empty Premises Grant:
A grant of up to £10,000 for a business that can demonstrate they are bringing a unit in the town centre back into use and needs support for the refurbishment. This grant covers 75% of the costs and can help fund external and internal works, as well as any energy efficiency measures or fit-out work that is needed.
This grants programme is financed from Ashford’s remaining share of the Government’s Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) therefore the funds are limited and have a limited time for it to be used.
Applications are therefore initially due to be open from 21 October 2021 to 5 December 2021. Businesses can check if they are eligible and find out how to apply via the Council’s website – www.ashford.gov.uk/ashford-town-centre-support-grants