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

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