£1 million of funding boosts Trowbridge high street
The funding has been aimed at filling empty commercial units
Eight previously vacant commercial units have been filled in Trowbridge town centre thanks to funding from the council.
Over a million pounds has been handed out to businesses from the council's Vacant Commercial Units Fund (VCUF), which Council Leader Richard Clewer has called an 'amazing milestone'.
The scheme was launched with the vision of boosting the town centre, with business owners, directors and landlords all encouraged to make applications, to create a more diverse and sustainable mix of uses in the town.
Businesses to have benefitted from funding include Finney's Hair.
Owner Kerryanne Hall said the funding had allowed the hair salon to move into a new premises on the towns main high street.
"The funding from Wiltshire Council and investments made by our business in 2023 have allowed us to be better positioned to enhance our services, expand our clientele, and employ new members of staff.
"The funding and investments have also gone into training and equipment. I want to thank Wiltshire Council once again for their ongoing support of local businesses.”
Cllr Richard Clewer said the aim is to make Trowbridge town centre a more attractive place to visit.
“We were delighted to receive a brilliant response from business and property owners with wonderful ideas and plans to transform Trowbridge town centre.
“We have paid out more than £1 million in funding so far, which is an amazing milestone to reach! 8 previously vacant units have already opened, with businesses such as Finneys Hair, JEM Body Solutions and SILT (Sustainable Image Labs Trowbridge) and are now operating successfully in Trowbridge.
"25 applications have been successful and approved in total, with our teams now working hard to finalise all the contracts on the latest projects. With the final amount of funding now allocated, we look forward to welcoming even more positive changes in the town this summer.
“Our aim is to make Trowbridge town centre a more attractive place to visit, one which residents and visitors choose to visit to shop, relax and meet up with their friends and family. We hope that the support we’ve given to these businesses through the Vacant Commercial Units Fund (VCUF) will help provide a greater town centre experience for residents and visitors encouraging them to keep coming back, supporting business growth.”
Funding for the scheme comes from the Future High Streets Fund that was awarded to Trowbridge from central government. The Future High Streets Fund aims to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that improves experience, drives growth and ensures future sustainability.
More information on the scheme can be found on the Wiltshire Council website.