Shop sign grants: Now older stores can apply

Town hall funding was previously only available to businesses moving into empty premises. Now EXISTING stores can also get grants.

The goal is to boost the borough’s town centres by making them more attractive to shoppers. The grants – worth up to £2,000 – are from Government money that the council has secured from the East Midlands Mayor via what is called the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

Cllr Curtis Howard, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said: “Our Empty Shop Signage Grants were launched two years ago and have proved a big hit. We’ve given out more than £32,000 to help new businesses open up in the borough.

“We want to do even more, which is why the council is expanding the scheme to established businesses in Ilkeston and Long Eaton. We’ve also significantly widened the town centre areas covered by the scheme.”

Two stores that have already benefited from signage grants are a community pantry and a shop selling health supplements. They stand side-by-side on Ilkeston’s Bath Street. Local business champion Joe Cahill, who is behind a crusade to keep the town centre thriving, posted a Facebook snap of them with the message: “A good sign makes all the difference.”

Resident Lorraine Graves commented: “Ilkeston community pantry is a great place to do an inexpensive top-up to your shop – lovely down to earth people that run it, that give so much to our community.” 
Info on how businesses can get help can be found on the shop grants page.