Shop-front grants offered to Radcliffe businesses as part of scheme to drive town centre trade

Shop-front grants offered to Radcliffe businesses as part of scheme to drive town centre trade

Independent businesses in Radcliffe town centre are being offered grants of up to 80 per cent of the cost of improvements to the exterior of their premises, to help increase ‘kerb-appeal’ and drive new custom.

The Radcliffe Shop Front Improvement Scheme, launched this week, is offering grants of up to £8,000 for improvements to retail premises located in parts of Church Street West, Stand Lane and Blackburn Street.A pot of cash has been made available as part of a £1m Bury Council push to revitalise Radcliffe town centre.

Businesses are being asked to complete an Expression of Interest form by April 15, 2019 setting out the improvements they wish to make.

With the new-look Radcliffe Market now open for business, the Bury Council-backed Radcliffe Regeneration Task Group, which is made up of local businesses, community groups and local councillors, is hoping to capitalise on a predicted increase in footfall and renewed interest in the town.

The shopfronts scheme is part of a much-wider programme of improvements to Radcliffe, including on-street planting, benches, new way-finding signage and work to make Radcliffe Piazza a focal point for outdoor events.An expanded CCTV scheme and action on parking will also follow.

Cllr Jamie Walker, Chair of the Radcliffe Regeneration Task Group, said: “We have a great range of independent businesses in Radcliffe with a loyal customer base. We hope that by assisting them with the cost of improvements we will be supporting individual business growth as well as increasing the appeal of the town.

“We’re working hard to deliver improvements to Radcliffe town centre that are relatively small steps individually, but cumulatively will have a positive effect on our place. Radcliffe town centre has a lot to offer, and with the work that’s being delivered we’re making sure that we are doing everything we can to attract investment in.”

The grant offer has been well-received by local businesses, including Helen Stewart, who runs Radcliffe Flooring in Blackburn Street. She said: “There are so many great businesses here in Radcliffe, from national chains through to thriving independents that are really well-supported locally.

“Even with the threat of Halifax closing* there’s plenty happening here, including the fantastic new-look market which should increase footfall to the town centre. We want to encourage people who may not usually visit Radcliffe to come and see what we have to offer.

“We’re pleased that these grants are available; new signage and shopfronts could make a significant difference to each individual business, and improve the overall feel of our town.”

If you run a business in Radcliffe or are the owner of a retail property which could take advantage of the scheme find out more at: https://www.bury.gov.uk/radcliffeshopfronts

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*Halifax recently announced it would close its Blackburn Street, Radcliffe, branch at the end of May. A petition to ask the bank to reconsider now has more than 2,000 signatures.