The Redundant Building Grant Scheme has proved a success since its launch in November, 2003, with more than £170,000 of grants awarded so far to businesses in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.
The £1.3m scheme, administered by Herefordshire Council’s Economic Investment and Development Team, provides grants of up to £62,500 (or 25%) for the conversion or refurbishment of redundant buildings and has dealt with more than 240 enquiries.
In a bid to help even more businesses, the scheme has now been extended to include the whole of the Rural Regeneration Zone.
This means that in addition to the areas already covered by the scheme, businesses in parts of Hereford city including Rotherwas, and around the towns of Bewdley, Great Malvern, Bridgnorth, Albrighton, Hanwood, West Felton and Wem are also eligible to apply for grants.
Cllr Charles Mayson, Cabinet Member (Rural Regeneration and Smallholdings), said: “We are very pleased with the number of enquiries received and hope to see many of these projects go forward, bringing new business and jobs into the area.
“Because of the expansion of the eligible area, parts of Hereford and south of the city may now be able to benefit under this scheme.”
The scheme, funded by Advantage West Midlands, provides financial assistance for the conversion or refurbishment of redundant buildings with the aim of creating new jobs or safeguarding existing ones.
The building must be used for business purposes, for example for manufacturing, crafts or retail use.
The scheme does not cover the conversion or refurbishment of residential property, new build or buildings which will be used for agricultural or horticultural purposes.
Dorothy Coleman, Programme Manager, added: “We are particularly looking for the sympathetic conversion of historic buildings, environmental sustainability features and workspace in the priority industrial sectors of creative industries (e.g. craft workshops), food and drink, tourism & leisure attractions, environmental technologies and interactive media.”
If you have an idea which you would like to discuss, or if you wish to find out whether a building is in the eligible area, please call RBG Programme Manager on 01432 260662 or e-mail rbgscheme@herefordshire.gov.uk