Building owners can apply for grants to improve shopfronts in Dunbar Conservation Area.
This new initiative to complement the ongoing regeneration of Dunbar town centre has been launched by East Lothian Council.
The Dunbar Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme has been developed to provide support to business owners and community organisations to repair or enhance the visual appearance of their property within the historic town centre.
East Lothian Council is currently delivering the Dunbar Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) in the town centre with funding from Historic Environment Scotland, focusing on providing grant funding towards the appropriate repair of traditional buildings.
The Dunbar Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme will provide an additional source of grant funding to support town centre businesses to create a positive impact with the aim of encouraging more people to visit and use the town’s fantastic shops and services. The Dunbar Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme is funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
Grants of up to 75% of eligible costs are available, up to a maximum of £3,000. As the fund is limited, all applications received will be assessed in terms of the fund priorities, including how any proposals meet the objectives of Dunbar CARS and the enhancement of the historic town centre.
Funded works can include redecoration, new signage, repairs to shopfronts, reinstatement of missing architectural details or replacement of the shopfront with a new frontage. The fund is now open for applications with an initial deadline for submissions of Friday 13 June. A second round of funding will open in July for submissions in early August.
Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, Councillor John McMillan, said: Dunbar town centre boasts many attractive and historic properties and this new grant scheme, along with the existing CARS scheme, can make a real difference in enabling property owners to repair and restore their properties for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.”
Philip Mellor, Chair of the Dunbar Traders Association, said: “This is a very challenging time for our local independent businesses and any support to improve the High Street is very welcome.”
This scheme follows on from the recent Shopfront Improvement Grant Schemes in Prestonpans and Haddington, with more shopfront improvement grant schemes being planned for delivery across the county, working with local communities to ensure the investment is delivered to benefit each settlement, town centre or local area.
For further information on the Dunbar Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme or Dunbar CARS, or to download an application form and guidance notes, visit the council website.