Introduction
Applications for Shopfront Improvement Grants are invited from business owners from anywhere in Argyll and Bute looking to make repairs to their shopfront, with the exception of 6 towns highlighted below that are supported in other ways, through having access to grants through Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes or Business Improvement Districts.
Applications are therefore encouraged from businesses in smaller settlements and rural retail businesses.
Please note, the grant is not available to business owners in the main town of a Business Improvement District (BID) or a Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) town. Applications cannot therefore be considered from Campbeltown, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Lochgilphead, Oban or Rothesay.
Using Place-Based Investment Funding, provided by Scottish Government, Argyll and Bute Council seeks to support the economic recovery of the area by supporting local business owners undertake shopfront improvement projects.
Eligibility Criteria
Please see the overarching eligibility criteria for the Shopfront Improvement Grant as follows:
- Your shopfront must be considered to be out with the main town of a BID and CARS town.
- Works must be able to be completed by 30th June 2022.
- Grants will be offered on a first come first served basis.
- Applications will be accepted until 5pm, Friday 17th December 2021.
- Applications cannot be made retrospectively. You are therefore urged to apply as quickly as possible if you are considering making improvements to your property.
There is no guarantee that all applicants will be successful in securing grant, but it is hoped that the limited funding available will widely support business owners across Argyll and Bute.
Eligibility criteria is outlined in full within the Shopfront Improvement Grant Guidance Document. Please familiarise yourself with this before attempting to complete the application form.
Grant
The total grant available is split equally between the council's 4 administrative areas.
Grant is offered at 75% towards the total costs of improvements, up to a maximum of £5,000 inclusive of VAT.
This is a discretionary fund for which there is no right of appeal.
Statutory Consents
As a grant offer does not imply consent on behalf of the Planning Service, you are responsible for securing any, and all, relevant statutory permissions required for your project.
We recommend that you seek Planning advice as soon as possible, with a link to the Council’s, planning advice pages as follows:
https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/planning-application-guidance
Application
Please download the following application form, application costs spreadsheet alongside the guidance note, and submit a fully completed version to: shopfrontsupport@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Applications will be continually reviewed between now and the deadline of 17th December 2021 and you are therefore encouraged not to delay in making an application.
Application Process
- Read and download forms;
- Satisfy yourself whether or not you require any statutory consents;
- Draft a specification for the works and secure quotations;
- Submit your fully completed application to shopfrontsupport@argyll-bute.gov.uk;
- Your application will be assessed for eligibility, and a decision on your application made;
- You will be notified of the decision, and assuming you are successful an ‘Offer of Grant’ will be made;
- On securing all relevant statutory permissions you will be sent a formal ‘Permission to Start’ letter;
- On completion of the works, claim your grant (Grant eligible works must be complete by 30th June 2022);
- Provide a short report to shopfrontsupport@argyll-bute.gov.uk with images showing the works in progress and the end result.
