Rebecca Winn of Custom Curtains and Blinds with Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Derek Butler
Grant money is still available to refurbish empty properties on Flintshire’s high streets – but not for long.
The Business Enhancement Scheme offering grants to refurbish high street properties and bring empty premises back into use will end later this year. A maximum grant of up to £80,000 per property is available, with the grant funding up to 80% of the total cost of external improvements and 60% of the total cost of internal works.
The money is for property owners and existing tenants to refurbish vacant buildings and building frontages with the aim of regenerating town centres and providing job opportunities.
Councillor Derek Butler, Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development met Rebecca Winn, owner of Custom Curtains and Blinds in Flint, who has already benefited from the scheme. Rebecca needed a larger shop and had to move quickly as the lease on her old shop was due to expire in a matter of weeks. With support from the Council, she was in a position to move into the newly refurbished shop in little over two months.
Councillor Derek Butler said:
“Rebecca’s shop is a credit to her – it’s like an Aladdin’s Cave when you walk in. Not only is the shop enhancing the town centre, it is encouraging local people into business and to shop locally. Considering the economic climate and pressures on the high street such as online shopping, this proves that there still a market for quality niche shops. We need to encourage more of them in our town centres and I’m delighted that the Building Enhancement Scheme is available to help this happen.”
The scheme is offered in nine town centres, Buckley, Connah’s Quay, Flint, Garden City, Holywell, Mold, Queensferry, Saltney and Shotton and the King Street area of Wrexham. The grant scheme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund, the Welsh Government with funding also provided by Flintshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council and the private sector. Interested businesses should contact the Council as soon as possible on 01352 703223 or http://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Business/Regeneration/North-East-Wales-Town-Centre-Regeneration-Project-.aspx
