Date: 22/01/2009
High Peak Borough Council is encouraging property owners and developers to take up money available through a new Redundant Buildings Grant scheme, which is being operated by Derbyshire County Council.
Grants of between £10,000 and £75,000 are available, across the High Peak, to cover the cost of conversion or refurbishment of currently unused or unsuitable premises, to bring them back into economic or business uses. A similar previous scheme only covered rural areas, but this new scheme covers rural areas and our market towns. The grant can also cover architects' or surveyors' fees.
Tony Kemp, Executive Councillor for Regeneration, said: "It might seem strange that we are encouraging people to invest in empty buildings to create new business units, shops and leisure amenities at a time of recession. However, now is actually a good time to think about starting building projects because it can take some time to plan and implement them. By applying for a grant now, property owners have a chance to create space for new businesses for when the economy starts to improve.
"We are keen that High Peak property owners, developers and businesses take advantage of this money so that our local economy can grow and create jobs"
Economic or business use for premises could include workspace for technology or professional services, manufacturing or creative businesses, retail stores and farm shops or tourism, leisure and overnight accommodation in rural areas. The grant could be used to extend existing facilities in adjacent empty buildings by, for example, creating a dining area for a bed and breakfast business. In market towns, the grant can also fund mixed-use developments where the ground floor is adapted for offices or workshops and the upper floor for living accommodation to let.
All proposals must secure planning permission in the normal way.
If you require business advice before you apply for a grant, contact Business Link East Midlands on 0845 058 6644 or email info@businesslinkem.org.uk.
Full details of this grant, together with other grants available to businesses in the High Peak are available on line at www.highpeak.gov.uk/business/econdev/General/grants.asp
An outline proposal form is available at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/rbg (external website**) or by contacting Derbyshire County Council directly on 08456 058058.