Business Support Grants for Empty Retail Units - Thanet District ...

ApplicationPackBusiness Support Grants forEmpty Retail UnitsLouise AskewEconomic Development OfficerThanet District Council01843 577178louise.askew@thanet.gov.uk

Business Support Grants for Empty Retail UnitsThanet District Council has received funding to support town centres, to enable empty shops to be putto use. The Council wishes to attract new small businesses to provide facilities for existing residents, forvisitors and to help bring people into the town centres.The offerThe grant offered aims to encourage businesses to occupy vacant shop premises in the towncentre areas of Margate and Ramsgate. Grants of up to £2,500 are available; the grant will need tobe matched with an equal sum of money (if the grant is £1,000 you will need to find £1,000 ofmatch).It is expected that the Council will receive far greater applications than the amount of funding available;it is proposed that a board of experts is set-up to review the business ideas and that those applying forfunding should be in a position to start their business relatively quickly. The amount of grant offeredwill depend upon financial need, and fit with the priorities set out below.Applicants need to be aware that it is unlikely that there will be enough funding for every application,some applicants might be offered a lower level of grant and some will be unsuccessful. All bids will beassessed against the criteria stated and the sustainability of the business will be important.A Business Link workshop will be put in place during the application period for those wishing toattend for advice and guidance.Priorities of the scheme• To bring derelict and/or empty buildings and sites back into use enabling the creation of newemployment opportunities• To encourage new businesses to establish in the identified town centres• To promote and assist in providing a vibrant and mixed retail offer in the identified town centres• To encourage private sector investment• To contribute to the overall development and ambience of the town centres in order toencourage residents, businesses and visitors and help to maintain other existing smallbusinesses.How individual projects contribute to fulfilling these priorities will be an important part of thedecision to award grant.Funding CriteriaBusinesses can apply for the funding for the following:• Fit-out of the premises• Purchase of materials to clean and decorate the premises• Buying assets for the premises• Empty unit is in the target areas:o Margate – High Street, Marine Drive, the Old Towno Ramsgate – Harbour Street, High Street, Queen Street, King StreetThe fund will not:• Support core management and administration costs incurred during the day-to-day running• Support businesses that do not fit with the targeted business types/sectors• Support national retailers/chains• Fund businesses retrospectively• Fund where other public funding has been accessed for refurbishment of the premisesp 2 |Thanet District Council http://www.thanet.gov.uk/business

Application pack for Business Support GrantsOther essential criteria include:• The targeted business types/sectors for both towns include:o Arts and creative businesseso Retail businesses that are missing from the town centreso Service businesses that are missing from the town centres• Be accessible to the public and not restricted to closed groups or membership organisations• Demonstrate partnership working with the landlord, property agent, existing retailers and townpartnership organisations• Demonstrate a sound Business Plan which will be reviewed by the Council’s EconomicDevelopment Officer, Business Link Advisors and other specialist Officers across the Council.This is to ensure a sustainable business is being supported• Maintain the shop front as publically facing• Funding will only be granted on the condition of having the necessary statutory consents andlandlord agreement• Businesses are expected to be trading by September 2010 at the latest• Not have any outstanding debts with Thanet District Council• Has a minimum length of lease of one yearConditions of the grant• All grant decisions are at the discretion of the Director of Regeneration Services. Anapplication review will be carried out in the context of the objectives for bringing empty retailunits back into use• The grant will be paid in arrears on production of relevant invoices that meet the set criteria• The retail premises must be in the main shopping area of Margate and Ramsgate (relevantstreets highlighted above) and have been unoccupied for a minimum of one month prior to thedate of the application• Applications must be approved before start of work, and grants will not be given retrospectively• All the necessary statutory approvals and legal requirements must be complied with beforegrants can be claimed• The grant is repayable should any of the conditions be breached or if the project is notimplemented in full• The applicant/company needs to be financially solventHow to apply• Any initial enquiries should be directed to the Economic Development Officer (contact details atend) for an informal discussion.• The application should comprise a completed application form, together with supportingdocumentation. This should include (where appropriate):1. Draft lease with the Landlord/Owner – this could be in the form of a letter ofintention from the Landlord/Owner2. A Business Plan within the template needs to be submitted (template and exampleprovided)3. Understanding of any necessary Planning and Building Regulation approval asrequired, with the ability to gain before the grant is provided. For example, changingthe previous use of the building; contact planning4. An outline of the building layout with costs and estimates for the required works5. A copy of written consent for the works to proceed from the Landlord/Owner of theproposed premises (could be included in letter mentioned above)6. Evidence of other funding sources for the 50% match will be requiredTimelineClosing date for the applications is Friday 26 March 2010; no late submissions will be accepted.Date26 March 2010 Submission deadline29-31 March 2010 Assessment2 April 2010 NotificationsThanet District Council http://www.thanet.gov.uk/business| p 3

Business Support Grants for Empty Retail UnitsApplication FormCompany details1. Your/Organisation’s Name2. Address (any information regarding the project will be sent to this address)Postcode:3. Telephone number (including area code)4. Other contact detailsMain contact name:Email address:Website address:5. Is the organisation registered for VATYesVAT No:No6. What is your organisation’s legal status? (please tick)Individual applicantInformal groupNew group/organisationA formal group or clubCompany Limited by GuaranteeCompany Limited by ShareCommunity Interest Company (CIC)Other (please give details)Registration number:Registration number:Registration number:p 4 |Thanet District Council http://www.thanet.gov.uk/business

Application pack for Business Support Grants7. Type of business to be opened?8. Estimated date of opening?9. Address and relevant details of the property where the business will be set-upProperty addressLength of leaseBusiness RatesinformationLandlord/Owner detailsincluding name andaddress10. How much funding are you requesting in this application?11. Please identify the breakdown of costs for the amount of funding requested above(remember; evidence will need to be supplied to show this).Thanet District Council http://www.thanet.gov.uk/business| p 5

12. Briefly, what is your overall plan for this business(remember; we are requesting a business plan)13. How will the business show partnership working with:Landlord/OwnerOther BusinessesOthers – please identify14. How will you market/publicise your business?15. Have you received any grant funding before, if so what for and from whom? Please givefull details.p 6 |Thanet District Council http://www.thanet.gov.uk/business

Application pack for Business Support GrantsWhy we ask the questionsWe are allocating public money and therefore need to ensure those in receipt of the funding can befully accountable. If your application is successful, we will use your details to set-up your paymenton our secure financial system.Grant offer letterOnce the applications forms have been reviewed, those who are successful will be sent a GrantOffer Letter. This will include the conditions in relation to accessing the funding and what isexpected from the recipient. On top of the specifics for the project these include:• A monitoring visit to check that the funding has been spent in the areas it was requested for;this will be highlighted in the letter from the application form• The recipient will be required to sign-up to visits from a Business Link AdvisorCouncil Contact DetailsBusiness Support GrantsLouise Askew, Economic Development Officer on 01843 577178 or louise.askew@thanet.gov.ukPlanning permissionIn planning terms, consent from the council must be gained if there is any 'material' change of useto a property or building. In most cases it is relatively straightforward as to what constitutes amaterial change of useContact 01843 577150 for more information or email planning.services@thanet.gov.uk or visit thePlanning Portal www.planningportal.gov.ukBuilding regulationsAny structural alterations to or conversion of a building require building regulation approval, contactBuilding Control on 01843 577502 for more informationEnvironmental Health Food TeamA food business means any businesses that provide food to others whether for profit or not. Foodincludes drinks, chewing gum and similar products, any substance which is used as an ingredientof a food product and any substance which is used for human consumption.Please contact us at environmental.health@thanet.gov.uk or 01843 577000 for information oradvice.LicensingCertain businesses require licensing permissions, contact 01843 577413 for more informationBusiness RatesIf you are opening a business, you need to think about paying Business Rates on the property fromwhere the business operates. Contact on 01843 577557 or e-mail business.rates@thanet.gov.ukThanet District Council http://www.thanet.gov.uk/business| p 7