The traditional face of Kington could be coming back to the town’s centre if shopkeepers take advantage of a scheme to help them restore their traditional shop fronts.
Thanks to funding from the Kington Area Regeneration Partnership via the Advantage West Midlands Market Towns Initiative, the Shop Front Grant Scheme for Kington Town and its surrounding parishes aims to enhance the physical appearance of the eligible shops and businesses to create a more pleasant environment for shoppers in the North of Herefordshire.
It means owners or traders leasing shops and businesses that are independent retail and commercial premises can apply for a grant to a maximum of £2,500 or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is the lesser.
The scheme excludes banks, building societies, regional and national multiples, private residencies and tenanted public houses and the area covered by the scheme is within the designated area for the Kington Market Towns Initiative.
The grants are also available to help with the reinstatement of historical, original or traditional architectural features and the fitting of security equipment (excluding CCTV).
The scheme runs for one year only until 31 March 2006.
Anybody wanting to take advantage of the grant scheme should contact the Delegated Grants Team on (01432) 260753 or email the team at: delegatedgrants@herefordshire.gov.uk.