GRANTS are available to help regenerate high streets and town centres in north and west Cumbria.

The grants of up to £35,000 are available for landlords and businesses in Cumberland as part of a new High Street Building Grant Scheme.

It is managed by Cumberland Council and the scheme forms part of a package of projects which aim to support businesses within the Cumberland area.

It follows news that a Carlisle councillor, Robert Betton (Botcherby, Independent Group), is set to ask what is being done to fill empty units in the city centre at next week's meeting of the full council.

The grants are all funded through the council’s annual allocation from the Government for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (this also includes the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)).

The High Street Building Grant Scheme has two priorities:

  • Priority A will focus on supporting landlords and new or existing businesses taking up an empty property by giving grants of up to 50 per cent of the costs (to a maximum of £35,000) of eligible works to improve the property;
  • Priority B will focus on support to landlords and new or existing businesses requiring funding to do facelift works to their properties with grants of 50 per cent of the costs (to a maximum £5,000) can be applied for.

Funding is available to landlords and businesses within the centre boundaries of Aspatria, Brampton, Carlisle, Cleator Moor, Cockermouth, Egremont, Keswick, Longtown, Maryport, Millom, Silloth, Whitehaven, Wigton and Workington.

It is a discretionary grant for businesses that can demonstrate that they contribute to the vitality of the high street.

Councillor Mark Fryer (St Johns and Great Clifton, Labour), the council leader, said: “We recognise the need to support our high streets during these challenging economic times.

"We want to provide businesses and organisations with the confidence to invest in high street property again.

“Following the successful roll out of similar schemes across the former district council areas, we have now created a High Street Building Grant Scheme - available across Cumberland. Funding will be available to landlords and businesses.

"Grants will be allocated on a first come first served basis, so apply soon.”

Cumberland Council is encouraging local businesses, community groups and organisations to apply for the UKSPF and REPF grants schemes that in total will provide £1.4million to the local economy.

Following formal approval from the council’s Investment Panel, they are looking to support projects in the following areas:

  • Improvements to city and town centres and high street properties;
  • Arts, cultural, creative and heritage organisations and activities;
  • Sports and leisure activities that support health and wellbeing;
  • Promotion of the visitor economy and tourism products;
  • Business support that drives employment growth;
  • Volunteering activities that promote wellbeing;
  • Tackling digital exclusion and improving skills;
  • Addressing local skills needs.

The application process opened late last year. A variety of grant schemes are available and will be delivered by the council and external partners, working on the council’s behalf.

Information on all available grants and how to apply, including submission deadlines is available at www.cumberland.gov.uk/UKSPF

Cumberland Council has been allocated £10.5 million of UKSPF to spend over three financial years (2022-25) and £2.5 million of REPF to spend over two years (2023-25).