Rural Shopfront (Minor Works) Scheme
Funding for eligible businesses to carry out minor alterations or repairs to their shopfronts.
The Rural Shopfront Scheme is open to all freehold owners and lease-holders with at least three years remaining on their lease and tenants of premises with commercial shop-frontage facing the street within the eligible small settlements.
Tenants must have the building owners' prior approval.
Commercial premises include (but are not limited to):
- retail shops
- hair and beauty salons
- hospitality eg restaurants, cafes and food takeaways
- financial and professional services eg banks, solicitors
- buildings that are being used for a community service
Who cannot apply?
In general, the following will not be eligible to apply for funding:
- businesses which are situated within the village boundary of Royal Hillsborough or Moira as these businesses are eligible for the heritage shopfront scheme
- sports clubs
- public buildings
- political organisations
- multiples
The Rural Shopfront (Minor Works) Scheme is funded through the COVID Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme.
It aims to support business owners and landlords of occupied business premises to carry out minor repairs and cosmetic improvements to their shop fronts with the purpose of creating a more pleasing environment and increasing civic pride.
As an extension of the Rural Shopfront Scheme it offers businesses situated within the following villages the opportunity to apply for a grant to improve their shop frontage: Aghalee, Annahilt, Ballinderry, Dromara, Drumbeg, Glenavy, Maghaberry, Milltown, and Moneyreagh.
Allocation of funding
Successful applicants will receive a grant of up to 80% - maximum £12,500 (ex VAT).
Applicants must demonstrate their contribution of a minimum 20% of the overall costs (ex VAT) has been paid.
What can be funded?
The Rural Shopfront (Minor Works) Scheme is available to eligible businesses wishing to undertake work that does not require any statutory permissions such as advertising consent or planning permission.
Funding is available for:
- painting of shopfront
- removal of wires, unwanted shutters, awnings
- new front door
- new windows
- cleaning and repair of gutters
- replacement awning
- installation of window boxes
Completed Expressions of Interest must be returned no later than 5pm on Thursday 31 October 2024.
- Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council