Mind Your Own Business - Helping Small Shops to Make BIG Changes

Stratford-on-Avon District Council recently invited small business across the District to apply for funding to help support improvements which would help to promote their business.

The 29 successful applicants had to demonstrate that their business supports *local producers and suppliers, was in need of improvement by providing photographic evidence and that improvement works would be undertaken by a *local contractor.

One of the successful applicants, The Art Depot in Bidford-on-Avon, has recently completed improvements to the business which has had a very positive impact.

Steve Haywood from The Art Depot: "The funding granted has made such a vast difference to our business and how people see and find our premises. We spent the money wisely on signs for the front to our shop and people have commented on how it has given the high street a new lease of life. We also purchased a new A-board which has increased our footfall.

"Other people the District Council has helped in the high street have commented on how positive the help has been. Shop owners are all out with their paint brushes and I feel a renewed hope which can only help our poor high streets become a better shopping experience. I really do believe that supermarkets have their place in any economy and get a lot of blame for the demise of high street shopping but they can't do what small shops owners can do; the personal touch. All we needed was a little help to make it a level playing field."

Councillor Mike Brain, Community Services Portfolio says: "I am delighted that through the small amount of funding available, we have been able to support a wide range of improvements to small businesses right across the District.  Promoting economic vitality in the District by funding projects supporting economic growth and recovery is crucial in the current economic climate.  Local businesses shape the character of our community and the more support local Councils can provide now, the better the prospects for businesses will be in the future."

*local definition - must be within a 30 mile radius

Other successful applicants in the District are: