Who is Eligible

The grant is available to anyone who owns or rents commercial premises in (including registered charities) in these areas:

• Rayleigh town centre
• Rochford town centre
• Hockley town centre

This grant scheme is aimed at independent businesses. Anyone operating from 3 or more premises in the UK is excluded from applying. You must have occupied the premises for a minimum of 12 months.

What Can Be Funded

The grant can contribute towards expenditure including:

• painting of existing shop fronts
• replacement signage
• replacement gutter and downpipes
• replacement shop front, windows and doors
• reinstatement of traditionally styled shop fronts, sash windows and doors
• repair and reinstatement of all or any part of a shop front fixture that is visible from the street, including the first and second floors of premises which is used for commercial activities
• accessibility improvements such as nosing on steps, widening of doorways, ramps for doorways or removal of steps, handrails, portable ramps, power assisted doors, disabled access signs, doorbells and training staff to assist disabled customers
• professional fees, such as an architect

The scheme will not support: 

• Improvements to residential property, including residential property located above commercial premises
• Retrospective applications i.e. for works already completed or underway, structural repairs including re-roofing
• Internal repairs and alterations 
• External security features, such as shutters or CCTV
• The cost of a planning application, planning pre-application or listed building consent.

Works must be completed within 6 months of the grant being awarded. Any extension to this deadline must agreed by both parties.