Three grant schemes announced as part of a significant programme of investment aimed at transforming Spalding Town Centre are now open for applications.
South Holland District Council and Spalding Neighbourhood Board have worked together to develop the schemes which aim to attract new businesses and encourage a greater use of the buildings within the town centre.
When the Neighbourhood Board consulted on priorities for investment in Spalding, the town centre was highlighted by two in five respondents and investment in retail by 56%. Improving levels of occupancy and supporting a greater range of shops to re-locate to Spalding’s town centre were major public priorities.
These schemes will deliver on these priorities by diversifying Spalding’s retail offer, increasing the number of units occupied and delivering residential and serviced accommodation in the town centre, reducing the level of empty retail units, improving the appeal of the area, creating new jobs and increasing footfall and spending in the town.
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.
A total of £625,000, funded by the Spalding Pride in Place programme, has been split into three grant schemes:
Relocate – Capital grants of up to £30,000 to support new businesses to relocate into vacant buildings in Spalding Town Centre. This funding can be applied to interior or exterior works to make the building suitable.
Refresh – Capital grants of up to £5,000 to support retail businesses to improve the design and quality of their shop displays, supported by dedicated technical advice. This will be delivered in partnership with Spalding BID.
Revitalise – Capital grants of up to £50,000 to support the conversion to accommodation of vacant upper floors or empty buildings to create additional housing or up to £30,000 for reconfiguring existing retail units to offer space to meet different business needs.
Grants under the Revitalise scheme will only be awarded to projects that have applied for or have received planning permission.
Councillor Nick Worth, Leader of South Holland District Council, said: “This initiative has been designed to address the issues that residents and businesses across Spalding have raised to us.
“Using Pride in Place funding and working with Spalding Neighbourhood Board and the Spalding BID we have an opportunity to make a real difference and deliver lasting results for the town.
“Through this targeted approach, we will support landlords to bring vacant upper-floor spaces back into use for housing and ground floor spaces into use for retail opportunities, while helping businesses diversify and strengthen the town centre offer. This will create a thriving town centre that is a more vibrant, attractive and welcoming environment for everyone who lives in, works in and visits Spalding.
“I would encourage any business owner or landlord who may be interested in accessing grant funding or technical support to get in touch with the team and find out how they can benefit from this opportunity.”
Robin Hancox, Chair of Spalding Neighbourhood Board, said: “We know that local people want to enjoy a better town centre experience and this programme has been designed to bring long-lasting change that will achieve this aim.
“Through these different grant schemes, we have the opportunity to make a significant impact in the town centre by helping businesses and supporting more and different uses for empty buildings.
“This programme represents major Pride in Place investment that will tackle some of the challenges which we have heard through our community consultation and engagement in the last few years.
“The Board is really pleased to be working together with the council and the BID to deliver this exciting and ambitious programme for our town, and I look forward to seeing the impact that it will make.”
A drop-in session for businesses looking to apply for grants will take place on Monday, November 9 at South Holland District Council’s offices on Priory Road between 9AM and 5PM. To book a slot please email LGGF@sholland.gov.uk
For more information and applications, please visit www.sholland.gov.uk/LGFD