Last chance for shop front grants in Ross

Shop owners and traders in Ross on Wye and surrounding area are being urged to take advantage of available grants and give their shop-fronts a make-over before the scheme closes later this year.

The Ross Area Shop Front Grant Scheme, funded by Advantage West Midlands Market Towns Initiative, was launched in August 2005 and applications to the scheme will close in September 2008.

Grants are still available to improve the appearance of the shops in the town centre and surrounding villages in the HR9 area, however, remaining funding is limited so traders are advised to apply as soon as possible.

The scheme, administered by Herefordshire Council, is helping to make the area a more pleasant place to shop for local people and tourists. So far 28 shops in and around Ross have benefited from the scheme with grants totalling over £30,000.

Grants of fifty per cent of the total project cost, up to a maximum of £2,500 are available to owners or traders leasing shops that are independent retail and commercial premises. The scheme excludes banks, building societies, multiples and private residencies

This grant offers local retailers the opportunity to replace modern shop fronts, including signage, with something more appropriate to the age and style of the building and the character of the town centre. It can also help with the cost of restoring, repairing or re-painting existing shop fronts.

Any traders or landlords wanting to take advantage of the grant scheme should contact the Herefordshire Council delegated grants team for further details and an application form on (01432) 260753 or email the team at: delegatedgrants@herefordshire.gov.uk.