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Created: 11 August 2023

A boost to new shops opening in Ilkeston and Long Eaton has been launched by Erewash Borough Council – which is offering to pay for them to put up top-quality store signs.

The grants are worth up to £2,000 each. The scheme was given the green light by councillors in July and has now gone live on the Empty shop grants page, where prospective traders are being invited to apply for funding.

The aim of the two-year initiative is to encourage new stores into empty shops while “enhancing the street scene.”

The council is using levelling-up money it has been allocated from the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, which is cash that must be spent on promoting growth and “pride of place” as well as encouraging new businesses to our towns.

Only new shops can apply. Cllr Alex Breene, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:

“We are determined to tackle the blight of retail units in our towns lying empty – and understand setting up a new shop is expensive.

“This scheme will help improve the attractiveness and vibrancy of our town centres – and shows that Erewash is well and truly open for business.”