Mid Suffolk Town & Village Centre Business Improvement Fund
Supporting improvements to town and village centre businesses
The Mid Suffolk Town & Village Centre Business Improvement Fund is a grant scheme funded by Mid Suffolk District Council. It is designed to help improve the appearance, accessibility and functionality of business premises.
The Fund supports investment in shopfronts, business interiors and equipment that enhances the customer experience. This should improve productivity and strengthen your long-term business sustainability. By supporting visible improvements in town and village centres, the scheme aims to increase footfall, encourage occupation of vacant units and contribute to vibrant, welcoming places for residents and visitors alike.
What the fund aims to achieve
Projects supported through this fund should help deliver one or more of the following:
- An enhanced visitor experience across Mid Suffolk town and village centres
- Improved customer experience and accessibility
- Increased footfall and use of town and village centres
- Job creation and increased business productivity
- Stronger business resilience and long-term sustainability
- Improved environmental performance, including reduced carbon footprint
Who can apply?
The fund is open to:
- Small businesses
- Shops
- Landlords of commercial or community run properties
Eligible properties must be publicly accessible (or intended to be publicly accessible) and located within a town or village centre in Mid Suffolk.
Eligible locations include, but are not limited to:
- Stowmarket
- Eye
- Debenham
- Stowupland
- Elmswell
- Woolpit
- Thurston
- Needham Market
- Great Blakenham
- Claydon
If your business is located in Mid Suffolk, but not listed above, please email the Economic Development team to check eligibility before applying.
Grant amounts and match funding
- Grants are available from £500 up £10,000 per property
- Grant funding covers up to 60% of eligible project costs
- Applicants must provide 40% match funding
Evidence of match funding will be required as part of the application process. Grant funding cannot be matched against other Mid Suffolk District Council funding.
In some cases, flexibility on match funding requirements and the maximum grant value may be considered for priority improvements. Examples of this include energy saving measures and accessibility or inclusivity works.
All payments are made at the end of the process. Therefore, you will need to fund the project fully before any reimbursements are made. Funding cannot be used to pay for items purchased prior to the grant being determined.
What the fund can support
Funding can be used for a wide range of improvements, including but not limited to:
- Shop rebranding and new signage
- Internal and external lighting
- Energy efficient windows and fully accessible doors
- External security measures or reinstatement of traditional or historic features
- Internal refurbishment works, such as upgrading customer toilets
- Installation of solar panels
- Equipment to support business growth, accessibility and inclusivity (for example, new till systems)
- Equipment to improve environmental sustainability, including energy efficiency measures and building fabric upgrades
- Improvements to access, such as ramps, widened doorways, handrails, power assisted doors and accessible signage-assisted doors and accessible signage
Important information
If your project requires planning permission, building control approval or other statutory permissions, these must be in place before grant funding can be approved.
Please be aware that all applicants are expected to complete the subsidy declaration within the application form.
Need more information?
If you have any questions or require more information before applying, please email the Economic Development team