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Dunbar retains many interesting and unique traditional shop fronts. Many still have interesting features like original emblematic shop signs, tiled doorways and Victorian shop windows. However, over time in some cases these attractive features have been lost, with traditional wooden shop fronts being replaced by large aluminium-framed plate glass windows and doors, traditional painted shop signs being replaced with brightly-coloured plastic signs.
The Shop Fronts grant programme is intended to help shop owners restore original features and replace any inappropriate modern additions to enhance the townscape and their own retail space, with a view to improving business turnover. Various studies show that turnover is higher in shopping environments with attractive surroundings, especially in historic townscapes.
In particular, grants from this category could be used to repair original doors, glazing and fascias, replace aluminium or large plate glass windows with more traditional, appropriate window display areas, or to help fund new paint schemes and hanging signs.
How much is available for these target shops?
Up to 75% of the total eligible costs of the works, up to a maximum of £6,000 for those in our target list.
What about other shop fronts in the Dunbar THI area?
Non-target shops within the THI area, which require minimal refurbishment works, such as replacing broken tiles at shop entrances, painting traditional shop windows and doors, may also be eligible for lower levels of grant assistance from the THI.
How much is available for non-target shops?
Up to a maximum of 50% of the costs of eligible repairs and/or enhancements up to a maximum of £1,000 per shop.
What projects have been completed so far?
The Shop Fronts grant programme did not operate in the first year of the THI. Projects are being sought for Years Two and Three.
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