Grants

As previously the application process will be robust with applicants for the Start-up Grant having to submit a full business plan and cash flow and application form. 

They should not have entered into a lease and applications from a business that has signed a lease will not be considered. 

Grant applications will go through several review stages, including approval by the Council's Director of Finance and Cabinet Member for Economy.

In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the finance in place to be able to contribute a minimum of 20% of total start-up costs. 

This can be in the form of cash, loans or in kind contributions – such as labour where an applicant undertakes building/conversion works to a unit themselves.

Applications for a Start-Up Grant will not be considered from any business that duplicates and possibly displaces existing high street retail businesses. 

For this reason applications for the hair, beauty, hospitality and fast food sectors and charity shops will rarely be considered due to the number already on every high street.

Successful applicants will be expected to participate in any publicity promoting the Pride in Our High Street initiative, and:

• act as ambassadors for the high street, promoting the high street in all social media or other publicity channels
• participate in and support high street events, engaging with organisers and other businesses.

Important guidance:

• discussion with the Pride in Our High Street project team about business eligibility must take place before applying for a grant
• no premises lease should be signed before a grant has been awarded - if a lease is signed this will make the business ineligible for grant
• all expenditure of the grant monies must be after the grant has been awarded
• no grant will be awarded to businesses in the hair, beauty, hospitality and fast food industry and charity shops will rarely be considered due to the number already on every high street
• applicants will need to have a business bank account to receive the grant payment.

Setting up a food business

If you are interested in setting up a food business, you can find out lots of useful information and what’s needed and how to go about it on our advice to businesses page.

Start-up Trial grants will require the completion of an application form and applicants will have to demonstrate that they have a signed licence or street trading consent allocating them space in an established market before funding is paid.

Grant applications will be subject to a rigorous review process.

There are three funding levels:

• Level 1 – up to £2,500 for market stalls in Wellington Market operating 4 days each week and pop-up shops
• Level 2 – up to £1,500 for market stalls in Madeley and Newport (must operate for both market days)
• Level 3 – up to £1,000 for market stalls in Dawley and Oakengates.

Applications for a Start-Up Trial Grant will not be considered from a business that duplicates and possibly displaces an existing market stall. Applicants must evidence that they reside in Telford and Wrekin.

Applicants also need to confirm they have access to a vehicle to transport their market stock and equipment to their chosen market.

Please note: that the grant is not available to businesses that are already trading through markets or other outlets such as car boot sales. The grant is only available to residents from the borough of Telford & Wrekin Council.

Applicants can subsequently apply for additional funding through the Business Start Up Grant (up to a maximum total of £7,500) if they are successful through the Start Up trial grant and have the potential to grow on in an empty retail unit on one of the eligible high streets.

Interested in applying? Contact email prideinourhighstreet@telford.gov.uk. 

Setting up a food business

If you are interested in setting up a food business, you can find out lots of useful information and what’s needed and how to go about it on our advice to businesses page.

The façade grant funding can range from £500 to £3k. £3k (upper limit) for units in Conservation Areas and/or Listed Buildings and £1,500 (upper limit) for units in non-conservation areas.

Appropriate planning and consents need to be evidenced.

It can be used for the following:

• To paint shop frontages and replace signage where needed.
• To repaint roller shutters.
• Replace roller shutters with retractable security trellis which looks more appealing on the High Street.

Business units that have already benefitted from Pride in Our High Street façade improvement works or have already received a façade grant in previous funding rounds, will not be considered unless there has been a change in ownership and a requirement for new branding, which must be evidenced in the application.

The eco grant will provide funding of up to £500 to allow businesses to purchase energy saving products.

The grant will be available to registered businesses with high street shop frontages in Dawley, Ironbridge, Madeley, Newport, Oakengates and Wellington.

Information about the grant is as follows:

• it’s available to all businesses in the prime retail area within the borough towns
• it supports businesses to make permanent changes to their business to become more sustainable
• all energy saving measures if electrical, applicants must evidence they are A Rated and the business needs to identify the current equipment and energy rating to demonstrate the savings
• no grants will be awarded for eco packaging.

This grant is up to £500 to allow businesses to improve their digital presence and is available to all businesses in the prime retail areas within the borough towns.

The grant will be available to registered businesses with high street shop frontages in Dawley, Ironbridge, Madeley, Newport, Oakengates and Wellington.

Information about the grant is as follows:

• it will support businesses to make digital changes to their business to become more effective and efficient
• any digital improvements must be a permanent change to the business, as an example, the grant can be used towards the creation of a website or towards the purchase of an EPOS system
• all digital applications will be reviewed based on what difference it will make to the business.

Please note: grants will not be awarded for the purchase of a computer, laptop, tablet or iPad.

This grant will support District Centres in Donnington, Lawley and Hadley to improve the façade of units and the look and feel of our District Centres.

Grants from £500 to a maximum of £1,500. The total grant fund is £50k.

Shops in the District Centres can apply to have new signage and painting to the shop frontages.

Appropriate planning and consents need to be evidenced.