Shops urged to apply for grants to smarten up

Shipley shops will be given priority for the government grants

Shop fronts in Shipley could soon be looking a lot fresher thanks to grants which are being made available to business owners.

Property owners and tenants are being encouraged to apply for the grants which will help pay for works such as painting, new signage and repairs.

The grants are being offered through the Shipley Towns Fund and will cover 80% of the cost, from a minimum of £1,250 to a maximum award of £20,000.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said priority would be given to shops, then restaurants, pubs and cafes followed by service sector businesses, including premises above shops.

Shipley has recently benefited from a £4m transformation of Market Square.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, improvements will be subject to planning permission and can include exterior work to premises such as painting, removal of vegetation from guttering, new windows, new signage, repairs and access improvements.

Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, said: "The quality of frontage has an impact on retail success and also the character of a place.

"There is a lot of ongoing investment in Shipley and we are doing all we can to ensure that businesses can thrive here."

Gill Thornton, chair of Shipley Towns Fund, said: "The fund has invested £3m in transformational improvements to Market Square.

"This scheme will build on that and allow businesses to improve their frontage."

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