Cash help for shop facelifts

Herefordshire Council is hoping to boost the number of Ross-on-Wye businesses taking advantage of grants which are available to give tired looking shop fronts a much-needed facelift.

Administered by the council, the Advantage West Midlands (AWM) Market Towns Initiative funded Shop Front Grants scheme, which has been running for two years, has already benefited 13 businesses in Ross-on-Wye town centre and three in the surrounding rural parishes.

The Ross Area Partnership and the Market Towns Initiative Programme has now secured a further £17,000 towards new grants, enabling more businesses to benefit from the scheme.

To be considered for the grants, businesses need to be independent retailers and can be based in either Ross-on-Wye centre or in the town’s rural parishes. They qualify for a maximum grant of £2,000 or 50 per cent of the total cost of revamping their shop front.

Cllr Charles Mayson, Cabinet Member for Rural Regeneration and Strategy, said: the scheme has led to a marked improvement in the appearance of Ross-on-Wye and he was keen for more businesses to take advantage of the grants on offer.

He said: “We have been delighted with the response so far but we are keen for more businesses to benefit from the boost these grants can give to their premises.

“The scheme runs until March 31, 2008 but as the grants are given out on a first come, first served basis, businesses should apply now if they don’t want to be disappointed,” he added.

In Ross-on-Wye, the eligible rural parishes are Aston Ingham, Brampton Abbotts, Bridstow, Foy, Goodrich, Hentland, Hope Mansel, Lea, Linton, Llangarron, Marston, Peterstow, Sellack, Upton Bishop, Walford, Welsh Bicknor, Weston under Penyard, Whitchurch and Yatton.

To request an application, telephone the Delegated Grants and Programmes Team on 01432 260753 or email delegatedgrants@herefordshire.gov.uk