The news that grants of up to £20,000 will be available to Chertsey businesses to smarten up their frontages, has been welcomed by local candidates John Osborn and Myles Willingale.
Thanks to funding from the Conservative Government, Runnymede Borough Council is launching a grant scheme where businesses can apply for £5,000 to £20,000 to pay for everything from new shop fronts to repairs, restoration and new signage.
John Osborn, Conservative candidate for Chertsey Riverside said: "This will help improve Chertsey town centre from a heritage point of view and hopefully be good for business too - if elected supporting our shops will be a top priority."
The grant scheme is focussed on small businesses and those with heritage shop fronts within the Chertsey Conservation Area, which includes Guildford Street, Windsor Street and London Road.
Cllr Myles Willingale, Deputy Leader of the Council and standing for re-election in Chertsey St Ann's, said: "Chertsey’s small traders are the backbone of our local business community. I am delighted that the Council is able to provide this significant financial assistance to freshen up their frontages."
The Council has chosen to focus these grants on Chertsey’s main shopping area as a mark of its intent for the future improvement of the town, following successful regeneration schemes in Addlestone and Egham town centres.
The application process opens on 1 April on the Council website.
