Shopfront Repair and Redecoration Small Grants Scheme

These guidelines are provided to help applicants understand the aims of the Shop Front Repair and Redecoration Scheme and to set out how to make a grant application.

What is the Scheme?

Shop fronts and well-maintained buildings make an impact on the appearance of a shopping area and contribute to people's impression of that area. High-quality shop fronts make an area feel more welcoming to local residents and visitors alike. They improve the area's image, help to define a stronger sense of place, and encourage a greater number of shopping visits.

Breckland District Council is currently creating a district wide shop front design guide to support shop owners and landlords to create shop fronts in keeping with the historic market towns and to preserve the history and heritage of the district.

This smaller fund is administered by Breckland Council is designed to support smaller scale repairs. It is a community-led initiative to encourage and support the improvement of shop fronts to help local businesses to grow and prosper and to attract new investment across the district. The overall improvement in the local environment will help in attracting customers, raise awareness of the market towns among visitors and residents and aid overall regeneration.

Shop Front Repair and Redecoration Scheme Application Form

Please read through the FAQs and Design Guidance before applying to this grant scheme.

Shop Front Repair and Redecoration Scheme Application

Schedule of Works 

Please complete this Schedule of Works document, to attach to your application.

Schedule of Works Downloadable document (Word doc, 33 KB)

FAQ's

Who can apply?

The Shop Front Repair and Redecoration Scheme is available to commercial units of both existing businesses and owners of vacant units which are located within Breckland District Council.

The scheme is open to all freehold owners and leaseholders who are named on their lease and tenants of premises with commercial/community services shop-frontages within Breckland Tenants must have the building owner's prior written approval.

The grants are discretionary and subject to the availability of funds.The scheme cannot support works that have already been undertaken or any works which are started before a formal offer of grant funding has been made.

If you are unsure of whether your business will qualify for a grant you should contact businessdevelopment@breckland.gov.uk

How much is the Grant For?

Businesses can apply for a grant towards the external renovation or improvement of ground floor and upper floor shops. The grant will cover 75% of the eligible costs up to a maximum of £5,000.  Works must be able to be completed by 31 January 2026.

Design Guidance

The scheme aims to encourage the use of good quality materials, appropriate detailing and sympathetic signage, to improve the building and its contribution to the wider appearance of the area. It is expected that any works carried out will follow the guidance supplied in the shopfront design guide.

View the Shopfront Repair and Redecoration Guidance Notes (PDF, 218 KB)(opens new window)

The property owner will be responsible for applying for any planning permission, listed building consent and advertisement consent where necessary. Any associated costs in applying for relevant permissions will need to be funded by the applicant. 

What will the Scheme Fund?

Not all improvement works will be eligible for a grant through the Repair and Redecoration Scheme. The grant will only fund "eligible works."

The following generally will be considered as eligible for support:

• Repair and reinstatement of all or any part of a shop front fixture that is visible from the street, including the upper floors of premises where they are used for retail or commercial activities.
• Repainting of shop fronts in suitable colours
• Removal of paint from Masonry
• Re-pointing, repair and cleansing of external stonework and brickwork at and below fascia level.
• Fascia signage in keeping with the character of the building - e.g. hand painted signage.
• Scaffolding costs to facilitate redecoration where required
• Replacement of oversized advertisements/fascias
• Removal of vinyl advertisements
• Fabric roller blind awnings and canopies

The scheme generally will not fund the following:

• Lighting within window displays
• Window display equipment
• General pedestrian access improvements
• Externally mounted security features
• Dutch, balloon or plastic awnings and canopies
• General cleaning

Will I Need Planning Permission?

Most alterations to shop fronts within Breckland will require permission under the Planning Acts, Advertisement Regulations or both, and work carried out without consent may result in enforcement action or prosecution by Breckland Council.

Planning permission is required for works that involve a material change to the external appearance of a premises. Such works include alterations to the fascia, the windows or the doorway, changes to the materials used or the installation of blinds/awnings or security shutters.

The complete or partial demolition of an unlisted building within a conservation area will require conservation area consent. This includes the removal of features which give the shop front character, such as stall risers, fascia or window frames.

Any alteration which affects the special historic, artistic, or architectural interest of a listed building (including character and appearance) will require listed building consent. Such works include alterations to architectural details, alterations to the interior, the installation of shop front security measures, and in some cases the repainting of a shop front.

Advertisement consent is required for the display of certain types of signs in particular locations.

Please note that it takes the approximately 6 weeks to determine a planning application, advertisement consent or other statutory consent. This consideration should be built into the project timetable.

Breckland Council can be contacted prior to making a grant application, if there is any uncertainly about permissions required for the proposed work.

How do I apply and what do you need?

In order to consider your application, we require the following:

• Completed Application form including the full detailed schedule of works to be carried out and any supporting evidence - the application form and Schedule of Works can be found at the top of this webpage.
• Proof of ownership/lease - The applicant will need to provide proof in writing that they have permission from the owner to carry out the works if not the owner.
• The building owner must countersign the application to show that they have given permission for the works to be carried out.
• Details of the permissions that will be needed to carry out the work and proof that the permissions have been granted. If the grant application has been submitted prior to receiving the permissions, a copy of the permission should be submitted as soon as it is received. Please note that until this has been provided, funds will not be released.
• Cost estimates including quotes and fees - evidence that you have obtained three quotes from contractors. You should state which of the three contractors you would like to employ and why. The preferred contractor must demonstrate value for money.  Please note that any grant offer will usually be based on the lowest quotation.
• A current photo of the shop front and any available visuals of what it will look like after the improvements have been completed.
• If applicable, evidence that you cannot reclaim VAT.

How is the decision made?

Applications will be considered by a small Grant Panel.

The Grant Panel will decide on the application within six weeks.

All grant offers will be made in writing. If the proposed project requires planning permission and the grant is approved, the applicant will receive a letter making an in principle offer of funding. A formal grant offer letter will be issued as soon as relevant permission is granted. Full details of the conditions that apply to the grant will be set out in a grant offer letter.

All grants will be conditional to the securement of appropriate consent. The scheme operates independently of the planning process and any offer of a grant does not imply in any way that planning consent will be granted.

As part of the grant scheme requirements, the property must be maintained to a satisfactory standard for a minimum of three years.  If the requirement to maintain the property for a minimum of three years is not met, possible consequences could include: repayment of the grant, legal/enforcement action.

Grants will be paid on the production of invoices from contractors showing a detailed breakdown of costs. Payments will normally be made after all the work is completed, for larger projects interim payments may be considered.

The Grant Panel reserves the right not to make any grants if the applications received are not appropriate or compliant with the Scheme.

Terms and Conditions

Please read the Shopfront Repair and Redecoration Small Grants Scheme - Terms and Conditions before applying.

This grant scheme will close when the funding allocation is exhausted.