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Trafford Shop Improvement Grant

The Trafford Shop Improvement Grant is a capital grant scheme that can help new and existing businesses to grow in Trafford by providing a one-off grant to support the refurbishment of town centre retail premises. The maximum grant available is £10,000, however in exceptional circumstances Trafford Council retain the right to award larger amounts based on the delivery of the outputs. Successful applicants will also be required to evidence a minimum of 50% match funding. The purpose of the grant fund is to support new business and the sustainability of existing businesses in Trafford. Funding from this grant scheme has come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (DLUHC).

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  • Closing date: (Midnight)

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Contents

Summary

Who Can Apply?

The applicant must be the tenant or owner occupier of a retail property. A guarantor will not be accepted. If demand exceeds the amount of funding that is available, priority may be given to applications which provide a different or enhanced 'offer'; are likely to create more jobs and footfall; are investing a larger amount of their own funds; providing/upgrading accessible facilities or are located in areas that the Council deems to be of greatest priority for assistance.

What can the grant pay for?

The grant can only be used for capital expenditure (e.g refurbishment, building works) and is for the benefit of the property and has a positive impact on the surrounding area. We encourage businesses to make improvements to the property’s Building Emission Rate (as detailed on the Energy Performance Certificate) and provide improvements to assist customers with accessibility where possible.

Applications must clearly detail the scope of the project, the outcomes and outputs being delivered, the available match funding and what the grant money will be spent on.

As a guide here are some suggested items that would be considered for funding through the grant:

  • Frontage improvements

  • Signage

  • Access Improvements

  • Interior refurbishment and decoration

  • Windows and door replacement

  • External/internal lighting

**What the grant won’t pay for?**The following are examples of expenditure that the grant can't be used for. This list is not exhaustive.

  • VAT which can be reclaimed

  • Investment opportunities that do not form part of the works

  • Marketing costs

  • Wages

  • Purchase of stock

  • Payment for professional services (eg: legal advice, accountancy etc)

  • Any revenue costs

When will the grant be paid?

If the application is successful, 50% of the agreed grant amount will be paid in advance of the works upon receipt of required/satisfactory evidence provided by the applicant (e.g., signed lease, planning permission). The remaining 50% of the grant will be paid on completion of the works, as detailed in the approved grant application. To claim the final payment evidence of work carried out (e.g. before and after pictures) and evidence of spend (final invoices for works completed) will need to be provide.  If appropriate (as detailed in the grant funding agreement) a revised Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will also need to be provided.

A council officer will attend the premises to inspect and take photographs of the works carried out.  

What are the requirements after receiving the grant offer?

Unless otherwise agreed by the Council, the agreed works must start within 3 months of the date of the grant offer and be fully completed within 6 months of the offer (or by the end of February 2025 - whichever is the sooner) or the offer of grant funding will be withdrawn.

Successful applicants will be required to allow the Council to fully publicise the award and amount of the grant, and the works undertaken as part of the promotional activity for the scheme.  This will include photographs of the applicant, internal and external photographs and quotes from the applicant to use in press releases, social media, websites, and any other appropriate media.

All marketing undertaken by the business must adhere to the promotional criteria of the grant funding body (Dept for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and agree to display and notice/plaque promoting the UK Shared Prosperity Scheme and appropriate partners.

Eligibility

  • Eligible applicants include new and existing businesses opening new or improving existing operations in retail properties in Trafford's town centres (Altrincham, Sale, Stretford, Urmston). 

  • All applicants must be able to provide documents showing the right to work in the UK

  • The applicant must fund at least 50% of the total cost of the funded scheme. 

  • An applicant will only be eligible to receive one grant per business.

  • The grant can be used for a wide range of expenditure related to the internal/external premises and shop frontage refurbishment (within the curtilage of the premises leasehold/ownership). Ineligible expenditure would include expenditure already incurred, and investment opportunities that do not form part of an on-going sustainable business, ie; investing outside of the business itself.

  • A grant would not be awarded to applicants that have existing debts owed to the Council, including Council Tax and Business Rates arrears.

  • Grant applications will be assessed by a funding panel however, the Council will have ultimate discretion in determining the types of business that are eligible for the grant. 

  • Non-eligible business types will include and not limited to; arms sales/manufacture, pornography, payday loans, money transfer services, gambling and betting activities, charities, tobacco and property investment.

  • In order to consider applications for grant funding, the Council is required to make enquiries to ascertain whether receipt of the funding payment will exceed the Subsidy Control Statutory Guidance 96 Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) threshold of £315,000. This total can be accumulated over the current and the previous two financial years, as specified in section 36(1) of the Subsidy Control Act (2022). Applicants will be asked to provide further details (source, amount, date).

Objectives

Funding for this grant scheme has come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will require all recipients to deliver agreed outputs and adhere to publicity and monitoring requirements.

The grant recipient must agree to contribute to the delivery of the following outputs (not all of the outputs below will be delivered by all applications - and will be assessed upon application):

  • the creation or improvement of commercial floorspace

  • the creation of Full Time Equivalent jobs

  • provide buildings with improved energy performance

  • the improvement to accessibility or assistance for visitors with disabilities

The grant can be used toward the cost of building and renovation works (internal, external and frontage) on an eligible property in one Trafford’s four town centres (i.e. Altrincham, Sale, Stretford and Urmston). The purpose of the grant fund is to support new business and the sustainability of existing businesses in Trafford.

Dates

Applications to the grant scheme will be accepted at all times whilst the scheme is open. However, decisions on applications will only be made on a monthly basis and it is expected that the outcome of applications will be communicated by the end of the month following the month of submission. For example, if an application is submitted on the 10th January, it is expected that the applicant will be informed of the outcome by 28th February. The grant scheme may close before the advertised closing date should all funds be awarded. The scheme may reopen if funding allows.

How to apply

Applicants can apply for a grant via the button above. As part of the application process applicants will be asked to upload the following documents:

  • Business plan

  • 1 year cash-flow forecast

  • Lease agreement (if applicable)

  • Written consent from the landlord for the proposed works

  • Right to work and Personal identification

  • Evidence of match funding (e.g. bank statement showing funds, loan offer letter)

  • Provide information regarding any previous Government funded grants received during the current and previous two years.

To find out more about what advice and guidance might be available for existing and new businesses please visit GC Business Growth Hub. To speak with an officer of the Inclusive Economy & Communities Team at Trafford Council please email your enquiry to business@trafford.gov.uk quoting "Trafford Shop Improvement Grant" in the 'Subject' field.

Supporting information

Trafford Council resources

Business information and support

Net Zero Resources 

Accessibility Resources

UK Shared Prosperity Fund Information

Other