Three new grant schemes worth a combined £120,000 have been launched to help fill empty shops on Worksop's high street and give a boost to independent traders already based in the town centre.
The schemes have been launched by the Worksop Together Board, working in partnership with Bassetlaw District Council, and are funded through the £20 million Pride in Place programme – ten-year government investment earmarked for Worksop and the surrounding area to create new opportunities, boost growth and tackle long-standing local issues.
Why the grants matter
Reducing vacant shopfronts has repeatedly come up as one of the top concerns raised by residents during Worksop Together's community engagement work. The Board says attracting new independent businesses into empty units – and helping existing traders stay in the town – is a key part of turning that around.
“We know that one of the top concerns expressed by local people in Worksop Together's community engagement work remains the number of vacant units on our high street.
“I'm therefore very pleased that one of the first programmes supported by the Worksop Together Board has been to allocate some of the Pride in Place funding to three Business Support schemes – the High Street Shop Fit Out Grant, Shop Frontage Grant and Business Support Grants.
“These schemes, with total funding of £120k, will help to support local businesses and attract new businesses to fit out currently vacant units on a first come, first served basis.”
— Andria Birch, CEO of Bassetlaw Community Voluntary Service (BCVS) and Chair of the Worksop Together Board
The three schemes at a glance
1. High Street Shop Fit Out Grant – up to £15,000
The biggest of the three awards. It is aimed at new businesses looking to move into currently vacant premises within the designated Worksop town-centre area. The money can be used for structural works or equipment needed to get the premises trading – everything from fitting out a kitchen to installing shelving, flooring or fixtures.
2. Worksop Shop Frontage Grant – up to £10,000
Open to independent businesses occupying ground-floor, street-facing shops inside the designated area. The grant can pay for replacing doors or windows, external painting, new signage, security measures such as shutters or alarms, or improvements that make the shop more accessible to disabled customers.
3. High Street Business Support Grant – up to £3,000
Targeted at micro and small enterprises that already work with the council's High Street Business Support programme and employ up to 49 people. This smaller pot is designed to fund things like developing a website, introducing e-commerce, or putting a proper marketing plan in place.
Council: 'An effective way to attract investment'
“We want to attract more businesses to our high streets, and providing grants like these is one effective way to achieve that.
“We hope they will encourage new investment, create opportunities, and help reduce the number of vacant properties in the town.”
— Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Bassetlaw District Council Cabinet Member for Identity, Planning and Place
How to apply
Applications are being assessed on a first come, first served basis, so businesses thinking about applying are being encouraged to act quickly. Full details of eligibility, the designated area, and the application forms are available on the council's website.
Visit bassetlaw.gov.uk/community-and-living/worksop-together-board to find out more about any of the three grants and begin an application.
Part of a bigger picture
The grants are part of the £20 million Pride in Place funding that has been allocated to Worksop and the surrounding area over the next ten years. That pot is designed to create opportunities, boost growth and address local concerns – and these three business-support schemes are among the first visible projects delivered with the money.