Harrogate Business Improvement District has announced it will provide grants to support businesses in making improvements to shop fronts and accessibility.
Each year, the BID provides the match funding to levy paying businesses for support with improvement work.
The organisation will provide match funding up to £750 towards these improvement works. All members within the Harrogate BID area are eligible to apply for the grant which is available on a first come first served basis.
The aim is to offer investment into repairs and redecorations of business entrances and streets as well as the refurbishment or replacement of graphics and signage to improve the appearance of the town.
The funding will also go towards making Harrogate businesses more accessible. The grants will provide improvements including the installation of ramps, handrails, and automatic doors.
The BID said the funding “helps to create a great first impression for any visitors to the town and allows residents and business owners in Harrogate to take pride in their town”.
Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:
“Harrogate is always championed as the jewel in Yorkshire’s crown, and we know that first impressions really do count. This is why we are proud to once again launch the Shop Front Match Funding Grant to support our members and this worthy representation.”
Businesses wishing to submit a request for a grant should email info@harrogatebid.co.uk with a short description of the proposed work, any equipment needed, the expected completion date and any quotations or proposals.
Further details on the terms and conditions of the grants can be found on the Harrogate BID website.
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Masham community hub wins £145,000 grant
A community hub in the heart of Masham has been awarded a £145,000 grant by North Yorkshire Council, but the purpose of the cash is as yet unclear.
According to the council’s website, the money, which comes from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will go towards the “decarbonisation and purchase” of Mashamshire Community Office.
But MCO bought the building at the end of August, having successfully completed a year-long campaign to raise the £215,000 asking price.
Hayley Jackson, MCO manager, told the Stray Ferret:
“We haven’t got the money yet, and nothing’s been signed off, so I wouldn’t want to comment until we have the funding in place.”
She said she hoped to make an announcement publicly by the time of MCO’s annual general meeting on November 28.
Set up in 2003, the MCO is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving community life. The building it occupies and now owns, the Old Police Station, is also home to Masham Community Library, Acorns Preschool, Masham Parish Council clerk, tourist information and local art and craft shop Masham Flock.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is scheduled to provide £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025, of which £16.9 million has been allocated to North Yorkshire.
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Harrogate council wins £2.5m from government to house Afghan and Ukrainian refugees
Harrogate Borough Council is set to receive a £2.5 million from central government to help buy 21 homes for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.
A report will go before the council’s Conservative-run cabinet next week that asks councillors to accept the grant and continue Harrogate’s “long and proud history” of welcoming refugees that dates back to the First World War.
Many Ukrainian families have found homes in the Harrogate district since Russia’s invasion through the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Afghan families have also arrived through resettlement schemes but there is still a “pressing need” to provide homes for those fleeing war zones, according to the report.
The money will come from the Local Authority Housing Fund, which is a £500 million grant fund launched by the government so English councils can provide housing for those unable to find accommodation.
In the Harrogate district, just over £2 million will go towards buying 19 homes for Ukrainians and just under £500,000 will help buy two larger four-bedroom homes for Afghan families currently in temporary accommodation.
Funding from the LAHF equates to 40% of the cost of a single property. A total of £20,000 per property is also available to cover administrative and repair costs.
The government asks that local authorities secure match-funding to raise the remaining money needed to buy a property and the report says Harrogate Borough Council has come to an agreement with Broadacres Housing Association, which is based in Northallerton.
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The LAHF grant will be managed by Broadacres, which will identify and buy the homes with the council’s approval.
They will then be refurbished by the housing association so they can meet the decent homes standards.
The government says all homes should be bought and ready to be moved into by November this year.
The report says:
Ripon business gets Dragons’ Den star endorsement“Harrogate has a long and proud history of welcoming those fleeing violence and oppression in their home countries. In the past, this has included Belgium victims of the First World War and Jewish people escaping the Nazis.
“More recently the area has welcomed Syrians, vulnerable children, Afghans and Ukrainians.
“The acceptance of these funds will help the UK’s humanitarian duties to assist those fleeing war and ultimately provide a lasting legacy by increasing the supply of accommodation available to local authorities to address homelessness pressures.”
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
A Ripon business has been endorsed by retail entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis.
The GreenHouse, which is based on North Street, opened three months ago and offers an array of home and garden supplies.
Owner Rebecca Crallan messaged Mr Paphitis on Twitter as part of his Small Business Sunday campaign, which picks six weekly winners to be endorsed on his social media.
The winners also get a chance to network with other small businesses and include a profile on the Small Business Sunday website.
Mr Paphitis picked The GreenHouse and, as a result, shared the Ripon business with his 490,000 Twitter followers and 34,000 Instagram followers.
Ms Crallan said:
“The GreenHouse has only been open three months but I’ve been warmly welcomed by the community in Ripon, both shoppers and fellow retailers alike.
“It is great to have support from Theo because it’s been tough trying to raise our profile and Theo has recognised our hard work and helped spread the word about what we do to his following.”
Harrogate jewellers wins shop frontage grant
A Harrogate business has been awarded a £750 grant to improve its shop frontage.
Fattorini’s on Parliament Street, which reopened under new management in March, has been granted the money by Harrogate Business Improvement District.
Harrogate BID Matthew Chapman, left, and Fattorini’s director Wayne Beales outside the Parliament Street jewellers.
The grant was part of £10,000 awarded to BID levy payers to help improve the frontages of their businesses.
Other businesses awarded grants include The Den, Cold Bath Brewing, Drum and Monkey and the new Coach & Horses.
The jewellery business used its £750 to refurbish the Victorian canopy and install a new facia board and signage.
Wayne Beales, Fattorini’s director, said:
“Being a BID levy payer, I’m delighted that our application for a grant was approved.
“The painted canopy and new signage has really helped us shout about our revival. It has certainly made us stand out from other businesses on Parliament.
“I would also recommend all levy paying retailers to take advantage of the next round of BID improvement grants, so Harrogate town centre can really shine.”
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