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Stellar line-up for Independent Bookshop Week

19 Jun 2023

A stellar line-up of authors have been taking part in this week’s Independent Bookshop Week 2023 with the likes of Ann Cleeves, AJ Pearce, Danielle Brown, poet laureate Simon Armitage and... Read more…

Bira calls for level playing field as Amazon UK Services pays zero corporation tax again

8 Jun 2023

Bira, the British Independent Retailers Association, has expressed its concern and frustration after it was revealed that Amazon UK Services had, for the second consecutive year, paid zero... Read more…

Bank holidays fail to boost retail sales in May

7 Jun 2023

The three bank holiday weekends in May failed to boost UK retail sales, with growth slowing in May according to new industry data.
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Retailers need to rise to challenge of keeping the high street is relevant

7 Jun 2023

New data shows that the public is craving a change to their local high street in order to continue visiting it, with nearly half of those surveyed believing that high streets are no longer... Read more…

Retailers urged to prepare for ban on selling single use plastic

5 Jun 2023

The government has published guidance to help businesses prepare for the ban on single-use plastics which is due to come into force in October.
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Retail workers face money challenges at alarming rate

31 May 2023

A report published by financial institution Claro Money’s wellbeing division on the effects of money worries for retail workers found that 73% of retail workers feel negatively about their... Read more…

Federation of Independent Retailers says more needed to be done to support smaller businesses in Wales

24 May 2023

Whilst it has welcomed some elements of the Welsh Retail Action plan, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) said more is needed to be done to support smaller businesses.
... Read more…

Nearly half of customer service staff consider quitting over growing customer abuse

22 May 2023

More than two-fifths (44%) of customer service staff are considering leaving their roles due to increasing levels of cost-of-living fuelled abuse from customers.
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Friendliest high-street businesses include hairdressers and coffee shops, reports new study

22 May 2023

More than half of Britons (55%) say they have received helpful life advice from a local small business owner, new research reports.
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Mixed picture emerging about Coronation effect on retail

9 May 2023

A mixed picture is emerging about the effect of the Coronation weekend across the UK's retail sector.
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Bristol businesses supported to give vacant buildings new lease of life

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News, Political News

Upbristol to £10,000 of grant funding is available to businesses and organisations to bring vacant buildings in the city centre or on Bristol's high streets back into permanent or temporary use.

New or expanding small or micro-sized businesses, charities, community and voluntary organisations or social enterprises are all eligible to apply for the funding.

The vacant commercial property grant scheme intends to reduce the number of vacant commercial units in Bristol whilst supporting local businesses to open new premises and trade with confidence.

Since 3 February, the council has allocated over £100,000 from the £1.3 million grant fund available, directly supporting businesses in the retail, hospitality, creative and digital, hair and beauty, health and fitness, property and education sectors.

To help manage the grant programme and support businesses through the application process Bristol City Council now have a dedicated grant advisor. The council welcomes applications from people of all levels of ability.

To apply, the business or organisation must be looking to lease or rent a currently vacant commercial premises in the city centre or on one of Bristol's 46 high streets.

Councillor Craig Cheney, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for Finance, Governance and Performance, said: "We are committed to the recovery of the city centre and Bristol's high streets. To support small businesses, we have allocated £1.3 million to fill vacant premises, helping to diversify our high streets, employ local people, encourage people to shop locally and make Bristol a better place for all of our residents."

The size of the grant awarded is dependent on the length of lease or rental agreement. Applicants are expected to match any award granted by at least 20 per cent.

The grant can be used to cover a wide range of activity from building works, improvements and modifications to new equipment, shop fittings and display units.

Applicants will need to demonstrate how their business will benefit the high street and Bristol citizens, by adding diversity to the area, employing local people or people from under-represented groups, adopting the real Living Wage, improving disabled access and facilities, and demonstrating a clear commitment to sustainability.

Further information and guidance on how to apply are available on the council's Vacant Commercial Property Grant webpage. You can also register to join a free webinar to find out more and discuss the scheme.

If you have any questions about the guidance or need help or support to complete the application form please email Grant Advisor, Crover James: crover.james@bristol.gov.uk.

The vacant commercial property grant scheme forms part of the wider City Centre and High Streets Recovery and Renewal programme, which has received funding from the West of England Combined Authority's Love our High Street project.

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