Funding has been made available for businesses in more than 25 Ipswich streets for improvement works.

Ipswich Borough Council has announced its Shop Improvement Fund which allows independent businesses to apply for up to £5,000 to cover improvement works to their shop fronts.

The scheme is part of the £25m Town Fund.

The council will review applications monthly, looking to cover improvements such as: new shop windows and doors, external redecoration, new signage, new lighting, improved accessibility, new flush entrances to shops or a removeable accessible ramp.Councillor Bryony Rudkin, deputy leader of Ipswich Borough Council and portfolio holder for strategy and transformationCouncillor Bryony Rudkin, deputy leader of Ipswich Borough Council and portfolio holder for strategy and transformation (Image: Archant)

Councillor Bryony Rudkin, deputy leader of Ipswich Borough Council and portfolio holder for strategy and transformation said: “Across Ipswich, our shopping parades provide a vital service to our local communities, so we’re pleased to be launching this scheme to support the independent businesses who are key to each area’s local economy.

"Importantly, we hope this scheme will also assist in improving accessibility to shops, as well as bringing any vacant units back into use, to ensure our shopping parades continue to provide a vibrant and mixed retail offer to local people and visitors.”

Eligible shops must have at least five years left on the lease and be on:

  • Bramford Road

  • Cambridge Drive

  • Cauldwell Hall Road Junction/Woodbridge Road

  • Cliff Lane

  • Dickens Road

  • Ellenbrook Green

  • Felixstowe Road

  • Fircroft Road

  • Foxhall Road

  • Garrick Way

  • Hawthorn Drive

  • Lavender Hill

  • Maidenhall Green

  • Meredith Road

  • Nacton Road

  • Norwich Road

  • Penhurst Road

  • Queen’s Way

  • Ravenswood

  • Reynolds Road

  • Selkirk Road

  • St Helen’s Street

  • St John’s and Marlborough Road

  • Stoke Park Drive

  • Ulster Avenue

  • Wherstead Road (9-67)/Austin St

  • Woodbridge Road East

National retailers, chains with more than three locations, national charities, betting shops and pawnbrokers will not be eligible for the grant.

Applications are open until October 7 by visiting www.ipswich.gov.uk/shopfrontgrantscheme