The Traditional Shopfront Improvement Scheme is an important part of Falkirk THI. The grant investment aims to help make Falkirk town centre a more attractive place to live, work and visit through improving the appearance of shop fronts in the area by restoring them to their original design and detail.
The THI is able to offer grant funding for up to 85% of eligible works towards shopfront improvements. Initially this funding was targeted at certain priority shopfronts in strategic locations; however, owners of all traditional shopfronts within the THI area were eligible to apply for grant funding. The maximum grant awarded was determined by the priority category assigned to the property and the nature of the works.
The types of improvement works that will be eligible for grant funding include:
- removing & replacing inappropriate modern alterations such as external roller shutters, plastic signage, and excessive shopfront clutter;
- re-instate the original architectural detail, scale and proportions of the shopfront using traditional materials and techniques
- new signage;
- painting and decorating;
- creating inspiring window displays;
- replacing solid roller shutters with alternative security measures;
- repair to the historic pattern and detail of distinctive architectural features, for example tiling, decorative ironwork, canopies and other historic finishes;
- Professional fees, provided the advisors belong to a recognised institution such as RIBA/RIAS, RICS etc;
- Sundry costs including planning fees, surveys, necessary prelims, and any VAT that cannot be recovered.
Grant funding was not available for inappropriate alterations such as: fitting a standard ‘off the shelf’ shop front system; installing solid roller shutters; conjectural restoration; or any works using non-traditional, low quality or artificial materials like uPVC, plastic or aluminium.
We will soon be publishing a shopfront guidance booklet. This will be uploaded to the website in due course.