Local Grants to help improve shop fronts in Dawlish

Dawlish Town Council has successfully bid for government funding to enhance ground floor frontages and improve access to shop premises in Dawlish.

The appearance of shopfronts significantly affects the character of a town. A well-designed shopfront that complements the building’s architecture and surrounding area can enhance the overall streetscape, attracting both shoppers and visitors.

The Shop Improvement Grant Scheme provides financial assistance to owners and tenants who wish to enhance their shopfronts. This initiative supports local business growth, improves the local shopping environment, and raises the town’s appeal.

Dawlish Town Council administers the scheme in partnership with Teignbridge District Council and HM Government, reclaiming funds from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The aim is to benefit as many businesses as possible. Therefore, the amount granted may vary based on the number of applications received.

These guidance notes are provided to assist applicants in understanding the scheme’s goals and the application process.

For further details, contact the Town Clerk by telephoning 01626 863388 or emailing townclerk@dawlish.gov.uk

Who Can Apply?

The scheme is open to all freeholders, leaseholders with at least five years left on their lease, and tenants of commercial or community premises facing the street in Dawlish. Tenants must have the written consent of the building’s owner.

Eligible premises include:

• Shops (e.g., hairdressers, beauty salons, dry cleaners)
• Financial and professional services (e.g., banks, estate agents)
• Restaurants, cafes, pubs, and takeaways
• Buildings used for community services

The scheme will not be eligible for national businesses.

What Does the Scheme Cover?

The grant covers up to 100% of total project costs, up to a maximum of £2000 per application, with the applicant financing the remainder. In-kind contributions like DIY work will not count toward the 100% match-funding requirement.

The deadline for applications is 31st Dec 2024. Work must be completed, and evidence provided of invoices, proof of payment including relevant full bank/credit card statement/s received before 31st January 2025.

Grants may cover costs such as:

• Planning advice and fees (to be obtained by the applicant)
• Photomontages, material samples, or other planning-related requirements
• Physical work for improvements

Eligible work includes:

• New shop fronts and facias.
• Re-instatement of original architectural features e.g., ornamental masonry, stucco and other applied finishes or details, historically patterned woodwork, ornamental metalwork or other features of historic significance.
• reinstatement of guttering and down-pipes to match historic materials.
• re-rendering prominent elevations in suitable heritage colours.
• reinstatement of external stonework and brickwork
• Re-pointing using traditional materials.
• Pedestrian access improvements – these must be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.
• Signage
• Fixed window display equipment.
• Replacement of external shutters with internal security grilles and or security glazing (e.g., laminated or strengthened glass), which allows window-shopping to take place in the evening.
• External and window lighting.
• Install suitable awnings

The scheme does not cover:

• Improvements to residential property, including residential property located above commercial/community premises.
• Improvements to Churches, religious organisations or education facilities.
• Works which have already been undertaken or any works which are started prior to a formal offer of grant funding being made.
• Structural repairs including re-roofing.
• Internal repairs and alterations not visible from the street.
• External shutters and other security devices (e.g., CCTV).
• Recoverable VAT.
• Properties in the ownership of a local authority.
• Any premises in receipt of a Shop Improvement Grant in the last 4 years.

Only businesses within the Dawlish Parish are eligible, and grants are discretionary, depending on available funds.

Do I Need Permission?

Most shopfront alterations in Dawlish require planning permission. Work carried out without consent may result in enforcement action.

Planning permission is required for changes to a shop’s external appearance, including alterations to facias, windows, or doors, or the installation of awnings or shutters.

For listed buildings, changes that affect the architectural character will require listed building consent.

The District Council typically takes two months to process planning or advertisement consent applications.

Due to the application window provided by HM Government, applications for works requiring planning permission are unlikely to approved by this scheme.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted 31 December 2024, with works completed and all corresponding evidence being submitted no later than 31 January 2025.

Required documents:

• Completed application form with full details of the proposed work
• Proof of ownership/lease and permission from the building’s owner
• Evidence of required permissions (e.g., planning approvals)
• Current photo of the shopfront and any visual plans
• Proof that VAT cannot be reclaimed (if applicable)

Decision Process

Applications should be submitted to the Town Clerk at Dawlish Town Council – townclerk@dawlish.gov.uk

A Grant Panel, composed of Town Council officers and councillors, will review applications and decide within a week of receipt.

All grants are conditional upon obtaining the necessary permissions (if applicable), and securing a grant does not imply planning permission will be granted.  Due to the timescales involved it is unlikely any application requiring planning permission will be approved as part of this funding stream.

Payments will be made upon receipt of detailed invoices for completed works. In some cases, interim payments may be considered for larger projects.

The Grant Panel reserves the right to reject applications that do not align with the scheme’s objectives.