Lancaster BID offers grants to city centre businesses

The Lancaster Business Improvement District is offering matched funding of up to £1,000 to help improve the appearance of the city centre.

The scheme allows businesses to access grants to undertake improvement work to their premises, so long as they pay at least the same amount in their own money towards the entire project costs.

Works could include painting, repair work, improved signage, weather proofing, lighting or any other work to the external frontage of eligible business premises.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their proposal will have a positive impact on the wider trading area and not be of sole benefit of individual businesses.

The funding available for this scheme is limited with applications accepted at any time until funds for the year have been exhausted. Funding will be offered on a first come serve basis but preference will be offered to applications able to demonstrate the highest positive impact to the wider area.

Lancaster BID will consider anything that improves the look of the city centre, the shop frontages, their decoration or cleanliness. In fact anything that makes Lancaster streets more pleasant places for visitors to walk, work, and shop in. The scheme is about adding value and keeping the streets of Lancaster looking good for locals and visitors alike.

BID manager Rachael Wilkinson said: “It feels like January is the perfect time for businesses who may have been putting off desired work to get a little help in making their plans a reality.

"Over the past few years we have helped a handful of businesses improve their shop fronts and the surrounding area through these grants, including the restoration of Lancaster’s iconic Rocking Horse.” Eligible businesses looking to make an application are encouraged to discuss their intended applications with the Lancaster BID team prior to submitting and application. Applications received by 31st January will be considered in February.