Mid Devon District Council

Town Centre Shopfront Refresh Grant

Grants from Mid Devon District Council of 70% of eligible costs, up to £2,500 per property, for small businesses, registered charities and social enterprises to upgrade, repair and refurbish shopfronts in the town centres of Crediton, Cullompton and Tiverton. Works must suit the Conservation Area, retaining and repairing traditional features, with good-quality signage, repainting and repairs typical; every application is referred to a Conservation Officer. Applications are made online through the council's Let's Talk Mid Devon portal, with no fixed closing date, and the grant is paid after the works are completed.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £2,500; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Moderate; full application with documents

Who can apply

Small businesses (fewer than 50 employees, turnover of £10.2 million or less and balance sheet of £5.1 million or less), registered charities and social enterprises with a business or organisation bank account, for a business premises or building used to provide a community service within the town centre boundaries of Crediton, Cullompton or Tiverton (maps on the Let's Talk page) that has its own Business Rates assessment
Eligible premises include shops, financial and professional services, restaurants, pubs, cafes and takeaways, and community buildings; other cases are considered on merit
Applicants must own the freehold or hold a commercial lease or licence with a fixed term and at least two years left, with written landlord permission for tenants
Vacant premises may qualify with evidence of marketing and a prospective tenant
Repeat applications for the same unit within three years are decided case by case
Subsidy control: total public funding over the current and past two financial years must not exceed £315,000

What it funds

Upgrade, repair and refurbishment of shopfronts that enhance the appearance of the town centre and are sympathetic to the Conservation Area, including:

Repairs: fixing or replacing broken gutters, downpipes, windows, doors, stonework, brickwork and masonry
Facade (external surface) improvements: repainting and redecorating the shopfront in an agreed colour scheme
Signage: repairing fascias or removing signs that are unsuitable or placed too high and installing new, high-quality, non-cluttered alternatives; repair of existing hanging signs
Blinds and canopies: retention and refurbishment of existing historic box blinds or roller canopies
Traditional features and materials: repair, reinstatement or sensitive replacement of features such as pilasters, corbels, cornices, stallrisers, fanlights, timber or metal-framed windows, tiled entrances, painted timber fascias, traditional lettering and discreet hanging sign brackets

A 'shopfront' is any part of the town centre building visible to the public at street level and relating to the business use, which can include rear and side aspects. Where a modern shopfront exists in a historic building, replacement with a more appropriate design may be eligible. The grant is up to 70% of eligible costs (excluding recoverable VAT), to a maximum of £2,500 per property.

What it will not fund

Work already started or completed (including where an order has been placed, a deposit paid or a contract signed before the grant decision)
Recoverable VAT
Statutory fees, such as planning application fees
Works unlikely to be supported: oversized fascias, excessive or repetitive wording, large images on fascia signs, plastic or acrylic signage, projecting box signs, internally illuminated fascias or projecting signs, solid external shutters, visually prominent roller shutters, glossy or balloon-style canopies, and bright or garish colour schemes
Upper-floor or basement premises unless the works are clearly visible from the street or directly improve the frontage
Works that are the responsibility of Mid Devon District Council as landlord

How to apply

Check your premises is inside the Crediton, Cullompton or Tiverton town centre boundary using the maps on the Let's Talk Mid Devon page
Read the Shopfront Refresh Grant Scheme Guidance 2026 and draft Shopfront Design Guide; you can discuss your proposal first with businessgrants@middevon.gov.uk
Obtain any planning permission, listed building consent, advertisement consent or Building Regulations approval needed
Complete the online application on the Let's Talk Mid Devon portal, uploading your supporting documents
A Conservation Officer reviews the proposal and you may be asked to amend the design; a decision is usually made within 28 days of a complete application
Carry out the approved works within the period the council sets, then submit a Completion of Works Certificate, invoices, receipts and photos to be paid

Do not order, pay a deposit or start any work before the grant decision. For a single quote of £10,000 or more, contact the council for guidance.

Have ready

Evidence of property ownership, tenancy or licence
Landlord permission (if a tenant or licensee)
Recent clear photos of the building or area to be repaired or improved
A list of proposed works (work schedule), if applicable
At least one formal, itemised written quotation from an independent qualified contractor or supplier, separating materials, labour and VAT
Copies of any required planning permission, listed building consent or advertisement consent
Marketing details and prospective tenant details, if the premises is vacant

After the works, a Completion of Works Certificate, contractor invoices, receipts and photographs are needed before payment.

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