Shepshed Town Team
working in partnership with
Charnwood Borough Council
SHEPSHED SHOP FRONT IMPROVEMENT SCHEME
Guidance NOTES AND
APPLICATION FORM
Contact:
Regeneration and Economic Development Officer
Charnwood Borough Council
Southfields
Loughborough
LE11 2TR
Direct Line: 01509 634727
Email:
Shepshed Shop Front Improvement Scheme - Guidance
Introduction
The purpose of this guidance is to steer you through the complete process from the initial contact with Charnwood Borough Council through to the completion of the works to improve your shop front and the final payment of the grant.
What is the Vision for Shepshed Town Centre?
Shepshed town centre is recognised as a priority area for regeneration in the Borough Council’s Regeneration Strategy which aims to:
“………………restore a range of shops and businesses supported by an improved public realm designed with pedestrian safety and comfort as a priority to enhance its vitality and viability at the heart of the community.”
To help in the delivery of that vision the Council has formed a partnership through the Shepshed Town Team which has guided the preparation of a Master Plan and Delivery Framework. The clearly expressed local preference for Shepshed has been to focus on the delivery of a local centre for local people supporting a thriving independent sector.
What is the Scheme?
Shop fronts make an impact on the appearance of a shopping area and contribute to people’s impression of that area. High quality shop fronts make an area feel more welcoming to local residents and visitors alike. They improve the area’s image, help to define a stronger sense of place and encourage a greater number of shopping visits.
Unfortunately the appearance of some buildings has been spoilt by inappropriate shop fronts which harm the character and appearance of some buildings and detract from their wider surroundings.
The Shepshed Shop Front Improvement Scheme has been funded by Charnwood Borough Council. It is a community led initiative to encourage and support the improvement of shop fronts to help local businesses to grow and prosper and to attract new investment in Shepshed town centre. The overall improvement in the local environment will help in attracting customers, raise awareness of the town centre among visitors and residents and aid the overall regeneration of Shepshed.
It must be acknowledged that any enhancement in business activity may introduce upward pressure on commercial rental levels. However landlords and their tenants are encouraged to work closely with one another to ensure that the benefits derived from investment in property are balanced against the need to secure a sustainable and profitable trading future for Shepshed town centre as a whole.
Who Can Apply?
The Shepshed Shop Front Improvement Scheme is available to both existing independent businesses and owners of vacant units which are located within the Town Centre as defined by the Shepshed Town Team.
Shepshed Town Centre
The scheme allows for tenants of properties to apply for a grant as well as property owners.
The grants are discretionary and subject to the availability of funds. The inclusion of a building within the eligible area does not give any automatic entitlement to a grant.
The scheme cannot support works that have already been undertaken or any works which are started before a formal offer of grant funding has been made. If you are unsure of whether your business will qualify for a grant you should contact Charnwood’s Regeneration and Economic Development Team on (01509) 634727.
How much is the Grant For?
Businesses can apply for a grant towards the external renovation or improvement of ground floor and upper floor shops. The grant will cover 50% of the eligible costs up to a maximum of £3,000.
How do I Apply?
In order to apply for the Shop Front Improvement Scheme you will need to complete and return the application for which is attached to this guidance note.
Please note that grant availability is subject to limited resources and is available for a limited period of time only.
Where Can I Find Design Guidance?
Any alterations should be made in accordance with Charnwood Borough Council’s guidance note, Leading in Design: Shopfronts and Signs. Although the guidance is now somewhat dated, having been published in 2006, the general principles set out under sections 4 to 18 remain equally relevant and applicable today.
The guide aims to encourage the use of good quality materials, appropriate detailing, sympathetic signage, sensitive security features and access for all that respects the character of the building overall and its contribution to the wider appearance of the area.
What will the Scheme Fund?
Not all improvement works will be eligible for a Shop Front Improvement Grant. The grant will only fund “eligible works.”
The following generally will be considered as eligible for support:
· New shop fronts
· Repair and reinstatement of all or any part of a shop front fixture that is visible from the street, including the upper floors of premises where they are used for retail or commercial activities.
· Repainting of shop fronts in suitable colours
· Re-pointing, repair and cleansing of external stonework and brickwork at and below fascia level.
· Fascia signage in keeping with the character of the building
· External lighting
· Internal security grilles and/or security glazing
· Alterations to doors and level entry to permit access for people with disabilities.
· Fabric roller blind awnings and canopies
The scheme generally will not fund the following:
· Lighting within window displays
· Professional fees associated with the development and delivery of the project, including planning application fees, consultancy fees and advisory services
· Window display equipment
· General pedestrian access improvements
· Re-pointing, repair and cleansing of external stonework and brickwork above fascia level.
· Repair and reinstatement of guttering and down pipes
· Externally mounted security features
· Dutch, balloon or plastic awnings and canopies
Businesses which have more than 3 outlets nationally will not be eligible to apply.
Funding Example
The following example illustrates a typical Shop Front Improvement project and demonstrates how eligible and ineligible components will be taken into account in assessing the level of grant applicable.
Item / Description / Cost (£) / Grant (%) / Grant (£)1 / Planning Fees / 300 / 0 / 0
2 / Agent Fees / 700 / 0 / 0
3 / Shop Front / 4,000 / 50 / 2,000
4 / Signage / 500 / 50 / 250
5 / Painting / 400 / 50 / 200
6 / External Lighting / 1,000 / 50 / 500
7 / Internal Lighting / 1,000 / 0 / 0
8 / Display Equipment / 500 / 0 / 0
Total / 8,400 / 2,950
In this example the total project cost amounted to £8,400 of which only £5,900 (the figures in bold) were eligible costs that qualify for the 50% grant. This results in a total grant of £2,950 which is within the maximum grant limit of £3,000.
Will I Need Planning Permission?
Virtually all works that result in a material change to the external appearance of a shop will require planning permission. A separate planning application and scale drawings will be required to illustrate the extent of the works proposed. If you employ a professional agent they will be able to act on your behalf and advise you about any statutory consents that may be needed.
If you would like to discuss whether your proposals require planning permission and aspects of design please contact the Council’s Regeneration and Economic Development Team (01509) 634727
What Should My Application Aim to Achieve?
Because of the limited funding available applications will be assessed carefully by a Grants Panel which will consider how successfully the proposal meets the following objectives:
· Delivers Value for Money
· Demonstrates a sympathetic relationship to the property overall and to the local built environment.
· Adequately takes into account the detailed design principles set out in the guidance, Leading in Design: Shopfronts and Signs
· The degree to which the property makes a significant contribution to the street scene by reason of its location, scale or architectural merit.
Additional credit will attach to proposals which are situated within the Conservation Area and / or deliver improved access for people with disabilities.
What Do I Have to Supply With My Application?
In order to consider your application we require the following:
· Completed application form – You must complete a grant application form. This contains basic information about your proposals.
· Schedule of works – full details of the improvement works that you intend to carry out. You should submit a “schedule of works” which gives an itemised account of the project.
· Sketch drawings – depending on the extent of the proposed works, drawings will be required showing your proposals. (If you require planning permission you will require detailed drawings and plans).
· Proof of ownership / lease – if you do not own the property you will need to provide proof that you have the permission of the owner to carry out the works. The owner of the building or his agent must countersign your application to show that they have given their permission for the works to be carried out.
· Cost estimates including quotes and fees – evidence that you have obtained three quotes from contractors. You should state which of the three contractors you would like to employ and why. Please note that any grant offer will usually be based on the lowest quotation.
The following details must be covered in each quote:
· A breakdown of the individual cost of each element of the scheme
· Total price for the whole scheme (project support costs and VAT must be included as separate items along with details of any ineligible works) for the purpose of grant calculation and monitoring.
· A programme of works from the contractor.
How Long Will it Take to Make a Decision on My Application?
We will aim to make a decision on your application within 6 weeks of receiving a fully completed grant application.
If your proposal requires planning permission and your grant is approved we will write to you making an offer of funding in principle. We will then issue a formal offer by letter as soon as planning permission has been granted.
Who Will Decide Whether My Application is Approved?
Applications will be considered by a Grants Panel made up of not less than three members of the Shepshed Town Team, one of whom must be a Charnwood Borough Councillor. The Panel will be advised and supported by Borough Council officers.
The grant scheme will be administered by Charnwood Borough Council.
What Conditions Will Apply to the Grant?
All grant offers will be made in writing. Full details of the conditions that apply to the grant are set out in the Terms and Conditions attached subject to specific terms being set out in the grant offer letter.
All grants will be conditional on the necessary planning permissions being in place. The grant scheme operates independently from the planning process and the conditional offer of a grant does not imply that planning permission will be granted.
You will be required to maintain the property to a satisfactory standard for a minimum of three years or the term of your lease, whichever is the shorter.
When Will the Grant be Paid?
Grants will be paid on production of invoices from contractors showing a detailed breakdown of costs. Payments will be made after all works have been completed to the satisfaction of the Borough Council.
If the applicant is VAT registered, any VAT accruing will be reclaimable by the applicant and the grant payment will be calculated on a percentage of the NET cost of eligible works.
Where the applicant is not VAT registered, any VAT accruing is not reclaimable and the grant payment will be calculated on a percentage of the GROSS cost of eligible works.
Application Form and Advice
The application form is attached at Appendix A
Further advice and guidance on the scheme is available from:
Regeneration and Economic Development Team
Charnwood Borough Council
Southfields
Southfield Road
Loughborough
LE11 2TR
(01509) 634727
The Application Process
Shepshed Shop Front Improvement Scheme
Application Form
1. The Property
Applicant Name:Applicant Address:
Name of Business:
Address of property for which grant assistance is requested (if different from above)
Applicant telephone number:
Applicant Email:
Website:
Type of business
Are you VAT registered? / Yes / No
Please provide the VAT number if registered
Name and Address of Agent
(if applicable)
Telephone number and email of Agent
(if applicable)
Applicant’s interest in the property / Freeholder / Leaseholder
If you are a leaseholder please state the date when the lease expires.
(Please enclose a copy of the lease agreement)
If you are the leaseholder, do you need the freeholder’s permission for this work? / Yes / No
If YES, please provide evidence of the freeholder’s permission
Are you a member of any business organisation (e.g. Institute of Directors, Chamber of Commerce) If yes, please give details
Have you made any previous applications for grants for improvements to the premises? (If yes please give details)
Has your businesses received any other grant aid from any public body during the current fiscal year or either of the two previous fiscal years. / Yes / No
If Yes, please provide details of the amount received, the date of receipt and the agency making the payment
Please attach photographs showing the current front elevations of your shop/business front / Attached Yes / No
2. The Project
Please provide the following information in support of your application:· A brief description of your project
· How will your project meet the priorities in the Shop Front Scheme Guidance
______
(attach additional sheet if required)
Statement of Works
Please describe the changes that you propose to make including:
· Reference to whether doors, windows or entrances are to change
· The nature of changes to front including details of features you wish to add or remove
· Changes to retail display units
· Details of colours and styles to be employed
(Please attach an architectural sketch plan showing the proposed new front elevation and detail any specific areas of change)
Please list the items of work proposed and their estimated costs / Estimated Cost (£) – excluding VAT
1. / £
2. / £
3. / £
4. / £
5. / £
6. / £
7. / £
8. / £
9. / £
10. / £
11. / £
12. / £
13. / £
14. / £
15. / £
Subtotal
VAT
Total
What is your expected start date for the work?
What is your expected completion date for the work?
Is your finance for the project in place? / Yes / No
Please give details of how you have established the project costs. This should include at least three quotations.
Quotations enclosed / Yes / No
Application Checklist:
Checklist of documents required in addition to this form:
· Proof of freehold or leasehold of the property / Yes/No
· Copies of any statutory consent notifications (e.g. Planning Permission) / Yes/No
· Copies of any grant offers or award letters received from other sources / Yes/No
Full details of the proposed works, to include:
· A full schedule of works / Yes/No
· Plans, elevations and cross-sections at an appropriate scale / Yes/No
· Photographs of relevant elevations and details / Yes/No
Three recent, comparable and detailed quotations for all eligible works / Yes/No
A complete breakdown of the lowest tender, to show how the total sum was achieved / Yes/No
Declaration
The information given in this form and the attached details are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and no information has been deliberately withheld.
I understand that any misleading statements whether intentional or accidental, given at any stage during the application process, or any material information knowingly withheld, could render my application invalid and may require repayment of any grant.
I have read and understood the criteria for this grant.
I will notify Charnwood Borough Council in writing of any changes in the details of this application and in particular the award of any further funding from other sources.
Signature: ______
Name (in block capitals): ______
On behalf of (if signed by an agent) ______
Position: ______
Date: ______
If you are not the property owner, the application must be signed in support by the property owner.
I confirm that I am the property owner of …………………………………………….
and I agree to the current leaseholder using a Shepshed Shop Front Grant to improve the front of the property.
Signature: ______
Date: ______
Please return the completed application form together with three quotes and required supporting documentation to:
Regeneration and Economic Development Team
Charnwood Borough Council
Southfields
Southfield Road
Loughborough
LE11 2TR
(01509) 634727
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Date Application Received
Application complete / Yes / No
Further information required (specify)
Date further information requested
Date further information received
Date of appraisal
Panel Recommendation / Yes / No
Grant offered / Yes / No
Planning permission received / Yes / No
Grant accepted / Yes / No
Notes
Terms and Conditions