Shopkeepers in Bromyard are being urged to apply for grants to spruce up their business image ahead of what promises to be a busy tourist season.
Members of the Bromyard Shop Front Improvement Scheme grant panel met last week to discuss preliminary plans on how they will go about administering the project.
The panel will award grants of up to £2,000 to local shopkeepers who want to improve the front of their buildings.
A total fund of £10,000 came from regional business development body Advantage West Midlands, and has been passed to Bromyard Town Council to distribute by Herefordshire Council. Panel chairman and Herefordshire councillor Bernard Hunt said the group had made considerable progress in just one meeting. “We discussed the procedures for putting out leaflets to all of the shopkeepers in the town and we’ve decided several things,” he said.
“However, I urge as many shopkeepers in the town as possible who want to improve the appearance of their shop fronts, without spending an enormous amount of money, to contact the town clerk at Rowberry Street.”
Councillor Hunt said the panel was looking for applications that would have a maximum effect on improving the town’s image.
He said: “We will take each application on its merits. Some people may just want money for repainting, others might take the opportunity to go a bit further.
“What we are looking for is a sensible use of the money for the maximum effect.” The closing date for applications is Friday June 26 and grants will be awarded by July 14.
“It’s all part of the strategy to help Bromyard present the best face to the public and tourists as humanly possible,” added Councillor Hunt.
“We are in a battle with every other small town in the area, we need to make the most of what is on offer.”
With fewer people travelling abroad this summer due to the recession, Councillor Hunt said he expected a larger influx of tourists than in previous years.
“I base that on the fact that fewer people are going abroad and bookings in local hotels are slightly up on last year,” he said.