Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council: Town Centre Shopfront Improvement Scheme

Overview

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, in partnership with the Department for Communities (DfC), has developed a ‘Town Centre Shopfront Improvement Programme’, designed to enhance the appearance of commercial areas in designated town centres across the Borough.

The Programme aims to support local business growth, enhance the local environment and transform how residents and visitors perceive our town centres, with the aim of increasing footfall and trade.

The Town Centre Shopfront Improvement Programme will be implemented in phases over the next two financial years (2024-25/2025-26), subject to funding availability.

• Phase 1 - Ballyclare and Randalstown
• Phase 2 – Antrim, Crumlin and Glengormley

Businesses/property owners can apply for a grant to carry out external physical improvements to their commercial property. The available grant will cover 80% of eligible costs but will be capped at a maximum value of £4,999, regardless of overall project costs. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum contribution of 20% of the overall project costs.

The Programme is open to premises with commercial shop-frontage facing the street within the town centres.

SCHEME OBJECTIVES

• To improve and enhance the visual streetscape of commercial areas within our town centres to improve overall visitor experience and footfall;
• To reduce physical decline across our town centres;
• To support local business owners in sustaining their physical shopfront within the town centres;
• To promote high-quality design improvements to the exterior of commercial properties;
• To encourage context-sensitive design, particularly across designated Conservation Areas (Antrim and Randalstown);
• To strengthen the working relationship between Council and the local business community, building capacity for future initiatives;
• To capitalise on previous regeneration efforts undertaken across their town centres.

FUNDING

Businesses/property owners can apply for a grant of up to £4,999 to carry out external physical improvements to their commercial property. Please note that the grant will cover 80% of the eligible costs up to a maximum value of £4,999. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum contribution of 20% of the overall project costs.

Applicants who are VAT registered will have their grant assessed on the net cost of eligible works, non-registered on the gross cost. See examples below:

VAT registered applicant

• Project Cost (ex VAT) £2,000 Grant Rate at 80% £1,600 Applicant Contribution* £400
• Project Cost (ex VAT) £5,000 Grant Rate at 80% £4,000 Applicant Contribution* £1,000

*VAT recoverable through HMRC.

Non-VAT registered applicant

• Project Cost (inc. VAT) £2,400 Grant Rate at 80% £1,920 Applicant Contribution* £480
• Project Cost (inc. VAT) £6,000 Grant Rate at 80% £4,800 Applicant Contribution* £1,200

The Council will base any Letter of Offer on the cost of the lowest quotation or the quotation offering the best value for money. Successful applicants will be paid funding on 80% of the procurement submitted, or of the final price of the eligible work(s), whichever is the lowest amount, up to a maximum of £4,999.

WHAT WILL THE SCHEME FUND?

• Reinstatement of traditionally styled shopfronts, sash windows and doors;
• New shopfronts;
• Internal security grilles/perforated roller shutter;
• Replacement rainwater goods (RWG);
• Fascia, soffit, bargeboard repairs/replacement;
• Window sill repairs;
• Repairs to doors and windows;
• Removal of redundant signage, shutters, wiring, alarms etc.
• Stone or masonry repairs / re-pointing;
• New signage or replacement of existing signs;
• Replacement feature lighting to signs (new lighting will require planning permission);
• Exterior fixture and fittings e.g. hanging baskets;
• Repairs of decorative features;
• Repainting of external shopfront in a suitable colour; and,
• New windows and doors (with Building Control Consent);
• Repair and reinstatement of all, or any part, of a ground floor shopfront fixture that is visible from the street.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The first phase of the programme is open to commercial property owners and tenants located in the designated town centres of Ballyclare and Randalstown, as set out by the Department for Communities. Businesses outside the eligible areas will not be eligible for the grant.

Please consult the relevant map on the next page (pg. 5) of Guidance before submitting an application.

The inclusion of a building within the eligible area does not give any automatic entitlement to a grant. The Programme is open to premises with commercial shop-frontage facing the street within the project area.

Commercial premises include:

• Retail shops;
• Hair and Beauty Salons;
• Hospitality e.g. restaurants, cafes and food takeaways;
• Financial and Professional Services e.g. estate agents, solicitors etc.;
• Buildings that are being used for a community service.