Investment into St Helens town centre businesses
St Helens council has launched a £500k grant scheme to support and develop local businesses in the borough.
It's using half of its £1 million from the Liverpool City Region Town Centre Fund to be able to do this.
It wants to revitalise the town centre and help valued businesses recover from the pandemic while driving investment and growth both in St Helens and Earlestown.
The Town Centre Business Adaptation and Improvement Grant Fund has two strands:
Small Grants: up to £5,000 to help with smaller scale projects such as amendments and improvements to existing premises
Medium-Sized Grants: up to £50,000 available for bigger investments, such renovation or new use of commercial space The
Grants can also be used for a whole range of other activities, including shop floor or bar refits to increase capacity; marketing and business planning - as well as contribution to energy and carbon reduction, which is a key priority for the council.
The latest funding will add to the improvements already made in the Barrow Street and Earle Street areas which have both welcomed a mix of hospitality, commercial and residential development proposals.
The council is also hoping to attract families to the area with a range of activities like festivals, pocket parks and exciting virtual trails.
Visitors will soon see the introduction of town centres advocates who will be on the ground ready to help customers and businesses make those much-needed links with the community - while town centre marshals will provide additional reassurance for visitors when enjoying the evening economy.
Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Business, Educations and Skills said:
“As a council, we’re making great strides with our major regeneration plans for our town centres, recently adopting an Economic Reset and Recovery Plan which will boost our high street recovery - together with the added bonus of successfully receiving £25m in funding to support innovative projects for St Helens town centre’s regeneration and the borough’s economic recovery.
“We want our town centres to be vibrant places that residents and businesses alike can be proud of - that’s why we’re committed to using this funding to support further investment and growth, and I would encourage eligible businesses to apply and let’s build back better after what has been a difficult year.”
Businesses have up until 5pm on Tuesday 31 August 2021 to apply which can be done by clicking here.