Shop Improvement Grant

1. Independent businesses that do not have more than 5 premises across Kent
2. Businesses actively trading from a ground floor commercial property, that faces onto the highway, within the priority areas (see maps), where the property is over 5 years old
3. The business can demonstrate the need for the works proposed and these won’t negatively impact the surrounding area
4. Individual landlords are eligible to apply for this grant

View Priority area maps.

Works that may require Planning Applications (such as Listed Building Consent, Advertising Consent or similar) can be considered. Applicants will need to submit their Planning Application, if required, before submitting the grant application. Work therefore within scope of this grant includes:

• External renovations or improvements to front elevations of buildings (areas visible from the street), including, but not limited to:
• repairs
• repainting of shop fronts in suitable colours
• signage
• external lighting
• security grilles and/or security glazing
• repair of external stonework and brickwork
• repair and reinstatement of guttering and down-pipes
• Internal repairs or improvements to the ground floor of the property
• Works to improve the energy efficiency and carbon footprint of the premises which could include (but is not limited to) insulation and draft proofing, upgraded windows, LED lighting
• Works to improve accessibility to the business premises, where an accessibility audit has been undertaken and provided actionable suggestions

• A completed application form
• Evidence that:
  • The applicant is the freeholder or leaseholder or where written consent from the landlord to carry out the work, has been obtained and submitted
  • The business trading at the subject address is likely to trade there for more than 1 year after the work is complete
  • The applicant has the funds available for their share of the renovation works (40%)
  • The applicant should demonstrate they have considered the Planning guidance in relation to their project and have submitted a Planning Application where necessary.
• A fully costed quote for the work or quote for items to be purchased
• Recent photos of the property (internally and externally) showing its condition
• Details of any grants or funding received from a public authority in the previous three years
• Any further information or evidence required or which the applicant considers relevant

The grant will be paid to successful applicants once conditions are met such as (but not limited to):

• The works proposed are due to start imminently and be completed in a reasonable time
• Any permissions such as Planning Permission have been successfully obtained
• Items such as furniture, fixings or appliances have been ordered or bought

The condition of payment for this grant will be included in the decision notification sent to the applicant and is discretionary (to be applied on a case by case basis). For grant applications requiring a Planning Application, the grant can only be paid if Planning Permission has been received by the applicant.

The council reserves the right to attend the property to monitor the progress of work until the expected end date detailed in the applicant’s proposal. The council has the discretion to reclaim the grant funding if the conditions are not met within a reasonable time.

• Properties must be over 5 years old
• Grant applications (and relevant Planning Applications) must be made before work takes place
• Our staff must be allowed to inspect the works and see all relevant documentation
• It is the responsibility of applicants to comply with all relevant regulations and legislation
• It is the responsibility of applicants to check and confirm whether they comply with the Subsidy Control requirements (formerly State Aid)
• Any grant money awarded, must be repaid within 1 year of the payment if:
• The applicant sells or vacates the property within 12 months of receiving the grant
• The property is vacant for more than 3 months during the 1 year after the grant payment date
• Works are undertaken without obtaining the relevant permissions or licences as needed
• The works are not undertaken

A subsidy is where a public authority such as a Local Authority provides support to an enterprise that gives them an economic advantage, meaning equivalent support could not have been obtained on commercial terms.

On 4 January 2023, the UK’s new subsidy control regime came into force, implementing a new subsidy regulation framework designed for the post-Brexit era. Underpinned by the Subsidy Control Act 2022 (the “Act”), related statutory instruments and government guidance, the new regime aims to grant public authorities the power to design and award subsidies in an agile way while complying with the UK’s international commitments on subsidy control.

For smaller value subsidy awards, Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) allows financial assistance of up to a maximum limit of £315,000 to be made to a single enterprise within a rolling period of three financial years (consisting of the current financial year and the two previous financial years), without the need to comply with the majority of the subsidy control requirements.

However, MFA requires a written declaration from the beneficiary confirming that the limit has not been exceeded before the subsidy can be awarded. This effectively mirrors the historic EU De Minimis regime but sets the threshold at a fixed sterling amount and at a higher level than previously.

Applicants will therefore be required to provide information and a declaration in relation to subsidies they may have received in the previous three years.

• Businesses that have already received grant payments that equal the maximum permitted levels of subsidy will not be eligible to receive funding. (See Subsidy Control section above)
• For the avoidance of doubt, businesses that are in administration, insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made, are not eligible for funding under this scheme.
• This funding should not be used as a wage support mechanism or for capital projects that do not provide direct business support.
• This funding cannot be used to pay for costs directly to Ashford Borough Council (for example Business Rates or rent) or for work to the fabric of properties owned by Ashford Borough Council where the work is the landlord's responsibility.

The funding available for these grant schemes is very limited and the council will likely need to prioritise applications to provide best value for money. Decisions will be taken by a panel and each round of decisions will prioritise eligible applications based on their location in the town centre (see the priority areas maps), the visual and practical impact of their project as well as the deliverability of their proposal.

Applications will only be taken forward to be decided where all the relevant information and evidence has been submitted by the applicant. The decision to award any grants under this scheme will be taken by a panel chaired by the Deputy Chief Executive of the council. The decision reached by the panel will be final and the council will not consider any appeals submitted. Applicants will subsequently be notified of the outcome of their application.

View Priority area maps.

All enquiries about this grant funding and this policy should contact the Economic Development Team using the email address economicdevelopment@ashford.gov.uk.