Published: 08/06/2018
MORE THAN £100,000 has been awarded to businesses in Copeland to improve the appearance of their premises.
So far grants totalling £104,000 have been awarded to 41 businesses in Copeland as part of Copeland Borough Council’s building grants scheme.
There is less than two months left to apply for a grant as the closing date for applications is September 1, 2018.
Businesses can apply for up to £5,000 for improvements to shopfronts, windows and frames, doorways, external decoration and signage. It is a 50 per cent contribution that means that businesses are required to invest in their premises to match-fund the grant.
The Council has received 219 enquires from Copeland businesses so far. The scheme is open to all commercial premises in the borough (excluding industrial estates, business parks and sports clubs).
Mike Starkie, Mayor of Copeland, has pledged £500k to the scheme, launched in July 2017, which will attract at least a further £500k from the private sector. He said: “We’re urging businesses to get their applications in soon to make sure they don’t miss the chance to improve their premises for a fraction of the cost.
“I’m enormously proud at the improvements that have been made to our towns and villages so far through this scheme and improving the appearance of commercial premises in Copeland is key to making the borough a better place to live, work and visit.”
The council advises that any business looking to improve the external signage or make significant changes to the external appearance of their premises may need to apply for planning permission. Permission can take up to eight weeks to secure and therefore business who wish to apply for a grant to support these changes must contact the Council’s planning department by emailing devcontrol@copeland.gov.uk as soon as possible to ensure they meet the closing date for grant applications.
The scheme is part of the Council’s Pride of Place campaign which encourages residents and businesses to take pride in their borough and work towards making Copeland a better place to live, work and visit.
For more information contact Copeland Council’s Economic Development Department by email at shopfront@copeland.gov.uk or by calling 01946 598433.
