Grants

The Regeneration team manages a number of property grant schemes aimed at improving business premises in commercial areas. The emphasis of the initiatives is on encouraging business growth and new ventures, creating employment and enhancing the commercial environment through high standard property improvements. The grants will complement other work being undertaken to regenerate town centres.

The grant is calculated on a discretionary basis, but as a guide is up to a maximum of 50% of eligible external costs. In addition to front elevations, eligible works could also apply to roofs, and to side and rear elevations of properties if they are visually prominent. The scheme will prioritise applications involving job creation, either through business start-ups or expansion, and prominent buildings in key locations.

Eligible works include:

• Replacement shop frontages
• Replacement windows and doors
• New signage
• Rain water goods
• Painting, rendering and attention to stone and brickwork

Ineligible works include:

• Routine repair and maintenance
• Works relating to health and safety and statutory requirements
• Works that will not make a significant contribution to the general environmental enhancement of the area

43 Commercial Road, Taibach

Lunacy Boutique had to move from their original premises just outside Port Talbot Town Centre by early 2011 so decided to purchase the former Work Tool Hire Centre on Commercial Road in Taibach. Before it would be fit for purpose as a ladies boutique, extensive refurbishment work needed to be carried out both inside and out.

The Commercial Property Grant Scheme provided financial assistance to the owners to carry out external improvements including a new hardwood shopfront, windows and doors, signage and rendering. The financial support also released capital for the owners to be able to carry out a complete makeover to the inside of the boutique, and also living accommodation to the rear and first floor.

For further information and grant guidelines, please contact:-