Wakefield businesses offered up to £12,000 for shop makeover

Grants are available for businesses in Bread Street, Cross Square and Little Westgate

Shopkeepers in parts of Wakefield are to be offered up to £12,000 to improve the appearance of their properties.

Businesses in Bread Street, Cross Square and Little Westgate have been invited to apply for funding to give their shopfronts a makeover.

Wakefield Council said the money would be made available as part of its "City Centre Masterplan".

It said it hoped any improvements would help create a "vibrant place for independent businesses to thrive".

The City Centre Masterplan involves work to develop the area around the city's cathedral, which includes demolishing two buildings to widen the square and improve views of the church.

Michael Graham, the council's cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth said: "The Cathedral Square project is just one of the ways we are making Wakefield more enticing to visitors.

"That is why we are covering all the bases with great looking shops to complement the new outdoor space."

Grants can be used for external improvements, including repairing or restoring a traditional façade, new or improved signage, and security improvements, the council said.

Money for the improvements will be taken from the £24.1m awarded to the council from the government's Towns Fund.