Grant scheme breathes new life into Wiltshire town centres
It's helped fill a number of previously empty spaces
Over half a million pounds worth of grant funding has been handed out to businesses in Wiltshire town centres.
Business owners were encouraged to apply to Wiltshire Council for funding for projects designed to bring empty spaces back into use, either on a temporary or a permanent basis, with grants ranging from £1,000 to a maximum of £10,000.
The Vibrant Wiltshire grant scheme launched in January with 62 grants being approved.
It's led to 32 units that were previously empty being reopened - including Daliz and Son Ltd clothing in Salisbury and Central Bark Dog Grooming in Pewsey.
Vibrant Wiltshire is part of the Wiltshire Towns Programme, a £1m investment each year for four years into reinvigorating the county’s high streets.
Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We’re committed to supporting local businesses, enhancing town centres and driving economic growth as part of our Business Plan, and that’s why we allocated £580,000 from the Wiltshire Towns Programme to support the Vibrant Wiltshire grants.
“Our aim was to encourage business owners to share their ideas and projects to fill empty shops and commercial units in high streets throughout Wiltshire, to create a more engaging, thriving and attractive environment for shoppers, visitors and investors alike, improving the vibrancy of our market towns.
“We’re delighted that so many of our local businesses and enterprises applied for the grants and were successful. We can’t wait to see their ideas and projects coming to fruition and opening up across Wiltshire.”