Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme now open to independent businesses within Ipswich’s shopping parades

Ipswich Borough Council is pleased to announce that the Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme is now open to support independent businesses within shopping parades across the town.

The scheme is funded through the Towns Fund deal for Ipswich, which utilises government funding to improve the town’s economy.

Up to £5,000 in grant funding can be awarded to each independent business and used to make improvements to their shop fronts, as well as upgrading access. The aim of the scheme is to improve the local shopping parades and improve the economic benefit to the parade and the town.

Applications will be reviewed monthly and can cover improvements including (but not limited to):

• New shop windows and doors
• External redecoration
• New signage
• New lighting
• Improving accessibility
• New accessible flush threshold to the shop, or removeable accessible ramp

The Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme is open to all independent owners and leaseholders with at least five years left on their lease within the eligible shopping parades:

• Bramford Road
• Cambridge Drive
• Cauldwell Hall Road Junction/Woodbridge Road
• Cliff Lane
• Dickens Road
• Ellenbrook Green
• Felixstowe Road
• Fircroft Road
• Foxhall Road
• Garrick Way
• Hawthorn Drive
• Lavender Hill
• Maidenhall Green
• Meredith Road
• Nacton Road
• Norwich Road
• Penhurst Road
• Queen’s Way
• Ravenswood
• Reynolds Road
• Selkirk Road
• St Helen’s Street
• St John’s and Marlborough Road
• Stoke Park Drive
• Ulster Avenue
• Wherstead Road (9-67)/Austin St
• Woodbridge Road East

National retailers, chains with more than three locations, national charities, betting shops and pawnbrokers are not eligible for this grant.

Councillor Bryony Rudkin, Deputy Leader of Ipswich Borough Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy and Transformation says:

“Across Ipswich, our shopping parades provide a vital service to our local communities, so we’re pleased to be launching this scheme to support the independent businesses who are key to each area’s local economy.

The scheme is a fantastic opportunity for independent business owners to make improvements to their business, with the aim of encouraging more of our residents and visitors to visit our shopping parades and explore what they have to offer.

Importantly, we hope this scheme will also assist in improving accessibility to shops, as well as bringing any vacant units back into use, to ensure our shopping parades continue to provide a vibrant and mixed retail offer to local people and visitors.”

Businesses interested in applying can do so online at: www.ipswich.gov.uk/shopfrontgrantscheme

The closing date for applications is Monday 7 October 2024.