A new three-year grant programme has been launched to help support East Suffolk’s high streets through town centre improvements, arts and cultural activities and improvements to shopfronts.
The East Suffolk High Street Improvement Programme is part of a range of schemes detailed within the East Suffolk Investment Plan, which was developed as part of a submission to the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
East Suffolk Council has been allocated £2.75m through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which will be used to support high streets and local businesses, develop workforce and community skills, as well as support those struggling with the cost of living.
• Grants of between £5,000 and £15,000 will be available for town councils, groups and business associations to improve accessibility, attract more visitors, enhance the unique character of town centres through improvements to public areas, and to improve signage, digital connectivity, walking and cycling. (Jan 2023 – March 2024)
• Between £5,000 and £10,000 will be available to town councils, business associations and arts, culture and heritage organisations to support cultural, arts and heritage activities which would increase visitors, such as music, dance, sport, tours, historical displays, photography, storytelling or crafts. (Jan 2023– March 2024)
• Grants will be available for enhancing physical shopfronts, through replacement windows and doors, reinstating traditionally styled shop fronts, painting and rendering of shop fronts, replacement guttering, signage and more. (April 2024 – March 2025)
