Business support in North Shields town centre is getting a boost with the launch of a shop front improvement scheme offering grants of up to £2,500.
At the same time, a town centre liaison officer is based in North Shields two days each week, offering free advice and business support.
The shop front improvement scheme is open to businesses in North Shields town centre as well as the North West North Tyneside wards of Weetslade, Camperdown and Killingworth.
This project is funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the North of Tyne Combined Authority and is now administered by the North East Combined Authority.
It comes as a major scheme of improvements is underway on North Shields shopping street Bedford Street, with new paving, mature trees and modern seating. The work is part of North Tyneside Council’s Ambition for North Shields and is due for completion in Autumn 2025.
Shop front grants are aimed at supporting businesses to invest in their premises and help them to grow. It is open to any high street retail unit which is open to the public, and can be used for new signage, to smarten up the front of the building, and to improve access. A full list of criteria and how to apply is available here. There is a limited budget available, and grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.
Town Centre Liaison Officer Wayne Young will be out and about over the next few weeks to promote the opportunity to businesses in North Shields and the North West, he can be contacted here.
You can find out more about the support on offer from North Tyneside Council's Business and Enterprise Team and The Business Factory, with free advice and guidance available to anyone in North Tyneside. Support includes business start-up advice, skills and training, workshops and mentorship, recruitment support, financial guidance, and help finding premises.
Councillor Carl Johnson, Deputy Mayor for North Tyneside and cabinet member responsible for Regeneration, Culture and Economic Development said: “We are delighted to be investing in this additional support for high street businesses in North Shields and the North West of North Tyneside, offering shop front improvement grants and face-to-face business liaison.
“Our Ambition for North Shields has seen a multi-million pound investment in the town over the past four years, with funding from the UK Government and North East Combined Authority.
“We are grateful to businesses for their patience and understanding while these regeneration schemes have been carried out, creating smart new public spaces and making North Shields a better place to live, work and visit.”