Property improvement grants for Stockport businesses

Stockport business owners, agents and landlords are being given the opportunity to improve and invest in their commercial premises.

Launched by Stockport Council, the grants provide tenants & building owners with help finding the resources they need to make improvements and repairs to their properties, offering up to 50% of the cost of improvements up to a maximum of £2,000 (subject to eligibility). Both grants are available on a first come, first served basis and terms and conditions apply.

The Stockport Town Centre Business Premises Grant Scheme (2016) gives town centre businesses, agents and landlords the opportunity to apply for monies to help cover the cost of improvement work on their premises.

The Stockport Business Rates off-set Improvements Scheme (2016) gives businesses, agents and landlords the opportunity to apply for business rate relief to offset the cost of improvement work on their premises. The scheme is available for units located in Stockport Town Centre and across most of the Borough’s Large Centres.

Rachel Harris, owner of Eat Me Sweets (formerly Mr Simm’s Olde Sweet Shoppe), said: “When I first came to Stockport to open my new business, the support I received from the Council was very important. The grant I received through the Business Premises Improvement Grant Scheme provided much needed funds. These funds not only helped me transform the premises into a quality shop unit but also provided the sort of practical support which helped me become established.”

Councillor Patrick McAuley, Executive Member for Thriving Economy at Stockport Council commented: “When you’re running a business you have many financial commitments you need to honour and sometimes you find yourself having to put plans for property improvements on hold.  As a Council we want to support local businesses and hope that our grant schemes will provide companies with the support they need to undertake for improvements, helping Stockport’s commercial centres to grow.

“The grant fund is limited, I would therefore encourage businesses to find out more and apply as soon as they are able.”

For full details about the Town Centre Business Premises Grant and the Business Rates Off-Set Improvement Scheme, and to find out if your business is eligible visit:  www.stockport.gov.uk/businessgrantschemes