Businesses and property owners in Lichfield have been invited to apply for up to £30,000 of funding as part of the £400,000 Heritage Shopfront Grant Scheme.
The project, announced earlier this year, will support improvements to shopfronts within the Lichfield City Centre Conservation Area.
The investment aims to protect the city’s historic character while helping businesses create attractive, welcoming and accessible frontages that encourage people to spend more time in the city centre and support the local economy.
Proposals could include restoring traditional shopfronts, reinstating original architectural features, replacing inappropriate modern additions, introducing heritage-appropriate signage and lighting, improving accessibility and carrying out high-quality external decoration.
Expressions of interest can now be made by eligible freehold property owners, leaseholders with their landlord’s consent, independent businesses, social enterprises and community-run businesses.
Councillor Richard Holland, Lichfield District Council’s cabinet member for high street and economic development, said: “The Heritage Shopfront Grant Scheme supports independent traders in Lichfield city centre to improve their shopfronts while preserving the historic character.
“Lichfield’s distinctive character and independent businesses are a huge part of what makes our city centre such a special place.
“This scheme is a positive investment in its future. It will give businesses and property owners practical support to improve their premises, restore important historic features and create shopfronts that contribute positively to the wider city centre.
“We want to work with local businesses to protect what people love about Lichfield while encouraging new investment and helping the city centre continue to thrive.”
Short expression of interest is the first in a two-stage grant application process and applicants do not yet need detailed designs or full costings.
To find out more, follow this link.
For help or an initial conversation about a proposal, email shopfrontregeneration@lichfielddc.gov.uk
