"This initiative will give businesses a boost, help create jobs for local tradespeople as well as improve the quality of the environment for people working on our industrial estates."
A grant scheme to help businesses on industrial estates improve the external appearance of their premises has re-opened, it has been announced today.
The scheme is aimed at supporting the growth of local businesses and improving the quality of the environment on industrial estates.
Grants up to a maximum of £15,000 are available to businesses willing to match the funds. A budget of £50,000 has been set-aside for the scheme this year.
The scheme is open to small and medium sized independent businesses on industrial estates across the Braintree District.
Businesses can use the grants to repair and paint walls, replace doors and windows, upgrade security systems and make improvements to green spaces and so forth.
Cllr Frankie Ricci, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Inward Investment at Braintree District Council, said: “This initiative will give businesses a boost, help create jobs for local tradespeople as well as improve the quality of the environment for people working on our industrial estates.”
Simon Edney owner of Westmead Automotive in Gosfield used the funds he secured two years ago to install new signs and refresh the paintwork on his premises. When commenting about the scheme, he said: “We’re really proud of the improvements that we’ve made. Without the support, we wouldn’t have been able to do all the changes that we wanted.”
Businesses should visit www.braintree.gov.uk/industrialgrants to find out more about the scheme, the criteria and application process. The award of grants will be on a first come first served basis up until the funds are exhausted.