GrantRadar

Test Valley Borough Council

Andover Town Centre Frontage Grant

One-off, part-funded grants from Test Valley Borough Council (developed with Andover Town Council and the Andover BID) for landlords and occupiers to improve the shop front or frontage of commercial premises on named streets in Andover town centre. Up to £10,000 for non-listed buildings and £12,500 for listed buildings. Aimed mainly at businesses, but charities with charitable rate relief on their town-centre premises (e.g. charity shops) can apply and need only 10% match funding instead of 25%. Works must be finished and claimed by 15 March 2027; funding is limited and applications are assessed as received.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£10,000 – £12,500
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Landlords or occupiers seeking to improve the shop front or frontage of a commercial premises in Andover on Lower or Upper High St, Bridge St, Bridge St Mall, London St, Marlborough St, Winchester St, East St, Chantry St, Union St, Black Swan Yard, George Yard, Newbury St, Shaws Walk, Swan Court, West St or Waterloo Court (not the Chantry Centre)
  • Applicants must be trading at the time of application; have a business rates account with Test Valley Borough Council (and not be in arrears); hold all relevant trading licences; have a UK business bank account; and have relevant valid insurances (e.g. public, employer and product liability)
  • Occupiers need written landlord permission
  • The council's match-funding table explicitly covers charities with rate relief
  • Where demand exceeds funds, smaller independent businesses are prioritised
  • Grants are discretionary

What it funds

Small-scale projects that improve the appearance of shop fronts and building frontages visible from the street, including upper floors:

  • New shop and building frontages
  • Repair and reinstatement of shop front fixtures
  • Repainting shop fronts or facades in suitable colours
  • Replacement windows or fixings
  • Deep cleaning
  • Removal of redundant cabling, alarm boxes and brackets
  • Signage
  • External lighting
  • Works to improve accessibility
  • Repair of external tiles, stonework, brickwork and render
  • Removal of vegetation
  • Repair of guttering and down-pipes
  • Professional fees for developing and delivering the project (planning application, consultancy and advisory fees)

Grants part-fund costs: most applicants contribute at least 25% of total project costs, but those with small business rates relief or charitable rate relief on the premises contribute only 10%.

Maximum £10,000 for non-listed buildings and £12,500 for listed buildings (a non-designated heritage asset may qualify for the higher rate).

Grants are paid retrospectively against claims.

What it will not fund

  • Premises within the Chantry Centre
  • Urgent works needed to make buildings safe
  • Work already underway or completed (no retrospective funding)
  • Work required under an enforcement order (e.g. planning enforcement, Urgent Works Notices, Building Act orders)
  • Any work done after 15 March 2027
  • Projects where necessary consents have not been secured when the work is done
  • Applicants in arrears with business rates to Test Valley Borough Council
  • Businesses subject to an enforcement order for a breach of planning regulations
  • Applicants for whom the grant would exceed the Minimum Financial Assistance threshold (£315,000 over three fiscal years) under the Subsidy Control Act 2022
  • Expenditure before the Grant Offer letter, other than planning agent and planning application fees
  • VAT, where the applicant is VAT registered

How to apply

  1. Email pfunds@testvalley.gov.uk first to check that funding is still available
  2. Contact planning@testvalley.gov.uk about any planning permission, advertisement consent, listed building consent or building regulations you need, and apply for those consents (the grant application can be made while they are being considered)
  3. Complete the online application form on the TVBC website (www.testvalley.gov.uk/andovertowncentrefrontagegrant) with details of your organisation, the planned works, costs and timescales, plus the supporting documents
  4. The council acknowledges, checks eligibility and completeness, and follows up any queries; eligible complete applications get a decision by email within 4 weeks
  5. If successful, sign and return the grant offer letter declaration within 20 working days
  6. Carry out the works only once the offer letter and all consents are in place, pay in full, then submit claim form(s) with photographic evidence and supporting information; quarterly progress reports are required

All projects must be complete and claims submitted by 15 March 2027. Funding is limited and applications are assessed as received.

Quotes needed: one written quote for contracts up to £10k; two written quotes (or evidence of market price) for £10k-£30k.

Have ready

  • Photographs of the frontage
  • Details of permissions or consents granted or under consideration, where applicable
  • Drawings or plans of the proposed work to an appropriate standard (if not like-for-like repair or replacement)
  • A business bank account statement dated within 2 months of application, showing account name and business address
  • Most recent full statutory audited or unaudited accounts (or latest HMRC self-assessment return if self-employed)
  • Valid detailed quotes or catalogue listings for the proposed expenditure
  • Proof of insurance for any contractor not registered on Companies House
  • Proof of ownership or lease
  • Written landlord permission if you are an occupier

Photographic evidence of completed work is required with each claim.

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