Spalding Neighbourhood Board and South Holland District Council have announced plans for a significant programme of investment and support that aims to transform the town centre through attracting new businesses and greater use of its buildings.
Consultation carried out by the Board in 2024 and 2025 identified strong public appetite to improve the town centre, with town centre revitalisation, business diversification, and events and markets highlighted as community priorities.
Through focussing on retail occupancy, this new scheme reflects these priorities. It builds on investment made through the 2023-6 UKSPF Programme and is grounded in a full, UKSPF-funded study of Spalding Town Centre.
The Scheme consists of three grant schemes:
Relocate – funding and support will be made available to attract retail, leisure and commercial businesses to relocate to vacant units in Spalding.
Revitalise – Supporting the conversion to accommodation of vacant upper floors or empty buildings in the Town Centre to additional housing or serviced accommodation, and reconfiguring existing retail units to offer space to meet different business needs.
Refresh – Grants for shop display improvements that will help to improve the appearance and attractiveness of business’ retail offer. The objective is to support businesses to attract greater footfall and custom. This will be delivered in partnership with Spalding BID.
All the different aspects of support will have a significant impact, reducing the level of empty retail units, improving the appeal of the town centre, creating new jobs, and increasing footfall and spending in the town. Ultimately, the programme will help Spalding town centre to thrive.
The extensive scheme is being made possible by £625,000 Pride in Place funding.
The Scheme will launch for applications from businesses in late September 2026, with details of how to apply released at that point. For all enquiries prior, please contact lggf@sholland.gov.uk
Robin Hancox, Chair, Spalding Neighbourhood Board said: “Local people have told us clearly that they want a better town centre experience and this programme has been designed to fulfil this ambition.
“Through a targeted approach, the plans will meet a number of the community priorities and will support an appealing town centre that offers more uses and reasons to visit.
“This investment, alongside the other Pride in Place projects recently confirmed, will make a huge difference to Spalding in the coming months and years.
Cllr Nick Worth, Leader, South Holland District Council said: “Residents and businesses alike have identified improving the level of occupancy in Spalding as a major priority.
“We are hopeful that this ambitious scheme will meet these expectations directly by delivering lasting results.”
