Council to consider Lib Dem proposal to extend Shop Front Grant Scheme to more small businesses

Timperley's Liberal Democrat Councillors are supporting local businesses owners to access a government funded scheme to help them improve the front of their shop.

There has been a big push from the Liberal Democrats to raise awareness, including on social media and by visiting dozens of businesses in the Village to make them aware of the scheme, and help them to apply.

Cllr Newgrosh said: "There has been a surge in interest since we made everyone aware. The scheme can help with internal decoration, new windows or doors, signage, accessibility features or lighting."

Cllr Newgrosh wanted to reassure businesses that might be put off by the need for a '3 year plan', adding: "I know running your own business means you have so many plates to spin. If you haven't got all the numbers to hand to draw up a detailed 3 year plan, don't worry. The Lib Dems can put you in touch with someone at the Council who can support small businesses with that, so you are in a position to apply for the grants."

Fellow Timperley representative, Cllr Will Frass said: "The Liberal Democrats champion small businesses because they are the lifeblood of a community - and I want as much of this funding to support smaller business as possible, because they would really feel the benefit."

Many of the current businesses inside the area marked out by Trafford Council who can apply to the Shop Front Scheme are larger corporations. But Liberal Democrat Councillor Will Frass has been pushing to extend the area to include the parades around Timperley such as Park Road, Riddings Road and beyond because the Lib Dems believe the focus for the grants should be local independent businesses.

Cllr Frass added: "I hope to persuade Trafford Council to expand the scheme beyond the strict limit of the village centre, because I want as much of this funding to go to our small businesses." 

Trafford Council have responded positively to Cllr Frass's ideas. The current deadline and boundary will of course be respected now. But Officers have suggested there could be scope to look at widening the limit beyond the village centre if another round of application is possible in the autumn.

So far Trafford Council have received at least nine businesses in Timperley have applied for Shop Front Schemes following a door to door survey by local Lib Dem councillors.