Business Support Grants Guidance

On this page you will find information and guidance on the town centre grant schemes and the business growth fund.

Rental Support Guidance for Padiham and Burnley Town Centres

Supporting Burnley and Padiham town centres to be vibrant, thriving destinations is a key priority for Burnley Council. The Council is committed to ensuring they meet community needs, create jobs and investment opportunities, and remain resilient in the face of economic, environmental, and social pressures. 

The Council’s Economic Recovery Strategy prioritises attracting new retailers into the town centres, strengthening their role as business hubs, and supporting independent businesses to create vibrant shopping areas with reduced vacancy levels. 

To help achieve this, the Council has developed a programme of Financial Support to encourage the occupation of empty premises and support business investment in Burnley and Padiham town centres. This Guidance Note sets out the support available. 

To encourage the occupation of vacant shop premises and support new businesses, Burnley Council may provide Financial Support towards rental costs.

This support is available during the first 12 months of occupation of new business premises. 

Objectives of the Scheme 

  • To encourage the occupation of vacant properties and reduce empty retail premises in the town centres  
  • To support and attract new start-up businesses into the town centres  
  • To free up capital for new businesses to help cover other start-up costs  
  • To support the retention and sustainability of existing businesses 

Financial Support Available 

The Council can provide Financial Support for rental costs for eligible businesses as follows:- 

  • Up to 3 months for businesses taking a minimum 12-month lease agreement 
  • Up to 6 months for businesses taking a 3 years (or more) lease agreement.   

The level of contribution will be determined by the Council taking into account the following:- 

  • Level of investment by the business 
  • Type of business and impact on the town centre offer 
  • Location of the property 
  • Length of time the property has been vacant 

The Council may, in exceptional circumstances, and taking into account the criteria above, consider awarding Financial Support to eligible businesses for a longer period. 

Eligible Properties 

Financial Support for rental costs will only be available for: 

  • Ground floor business premises in Burnley or Padiham town centres (exact area to be determined by Burnley Council). 
  • Premises that have been vacant for at least three months prior to the applicant entering into a lease (discretionary exceptions may be considered). 
  • Premises where occupation by the applicant will have a positive impact on the surrounding area and town centre – the Council will take into account the location of the property, the nature of the business and the existing businesses in the area. 

Eligible Businesses 

Financial Support for rental costs will only be available for businesses where: 

  • They have an existing, active or new start-up business (sole trader, partnership, limited company). 
  • They are able to meet the remaining rental costs which are not covered by any offer of Financial Support.  
  • They have purchased the property or have a minimum of 12 months lease agreement on the premises 
  • The type of business is not considered to have a detrimental impact on the town centre or, if financial support is provided, the reputation of the Council. 

Funding Availability 

The funding for town centre Financial Support is limited and Financial Support will be available on a first come, first served basis until the funding is exhausted. 

Process of Application  

If your business falls within the eligibility criteria for the relevant Financial Support, please contact the Business Support Team for an initial discussion and an application form. 
 
An application form should be completed and submitted to the Council together with the following evidence (as applicable); 

Rental Support: 

  1. Copy of Lease Agreement;  
  1. Where possible evidence of the premises having been vacant for more than 3 months or knowledge that the premises are due to become vacant. 

Once completed and submitted, the application will be considered by the Council’s Economy and Growth Team and where practicable a decision will be confirmed by way of a Financial Support offer letter to the applicant within 3-4 weeks.  

Once the offer has been accepted in writing, arrangements for payment of the Financial Support will be made with the applicant.  

On-going Business Support  

In addition to or instead of the Financial Support outlined in this Guidance Note, advice and support may be available from an Independent Business Advisor for businesses looking to develop their business. 

Initial discussion with a member of the Council’s Economy & Growth team outlining your business proposals will determine if assistance can be provided. 

Contacts 

  • For an initial discussion about the Financial Support scheme and eligibility please contact the Business Support team at: Business@burnley.gov.uk / 01282 477213 

Shopfront and Security Grant Guidance for Burnley & Padiham Town Centres 

Supporting the vitality and long-term success of Burnley and Padiham town centres is a key priority for Burnley Council. The Council is committed to ensuring these centres remain vibrant, attractive places that serve local needs, generate employment and investment, and remain resilient in the face of economic, environmental and social change. 

The Council’s Economic Recovery Strategy sets out objectives to achieve this, including enhancing the quality of buildings, streets and public spaces, maximising the value of historic assets and conservation areas, and supporting the retention and growth of town centre businesses. 

To help deliver these aims, the Council has introduced a programme of financial support for new and existing businesses, designed to help them start up, expand, and sustain their operations. 

This Guidance Note outlines the financial support available to businesses in Burnley and Padiham town centres, specifically for improvements to the external appearance and security of commercial premises. 

Burnley Council offers financial support to eligible businesses to enhance shopfronts where works will improve appearance, image, and footfall. Funding is also available to strengthen premises security, helping to reduce crime risk and improve safety. 

Objectives of the Scheme 

  • Improve the appearance of shopfronts  
  • Enhance the overall image and attractiveness of high streets  
  • Support and encourage new business start-ups  
  • Promote the sustainability and growth of existing businesses  
  • Preserve and enhance heritage assets, including buildings within conservation areas  
  • Help prevent crime affecting town centre businesses and reduce recorded incidents  
  • Increase business confidence by strengthening security and providing reassurance  

Eligible Works 

External improvement works to ground and upper floor business premises may be eligible for support, including: 

  • Refurbishment or enhancement of shopfronts  
  • Repainting and redecoration  
  • Stone cleaning  
  • Repointing  
  • Energy efficiency improvements  
  • Installation of internal shutters (subject to planning consent and relevant guidelines)  
  • Installation of toughened or reinforced glass  
  • Implementation of improved security measures 
     

Eligible Businesses 

 
A business owner may be eligible to apply for financial support where: 

  • They operate an existing, active or new start-up business (including sole traders, partnerships and limited companies)  
  • They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the external premises, or have the property owner’s consent to carry out the proposed works  
  • They own the property or hold a lease with a minimum term of two years, with at least 12 months remaining  
  • The proposed shopfront or external improvement works will have a positive impact on the surrounding area and the wider town centre  
  • They are able to meet any remaining costs not covered by the financial support offered  
  • The nature of the business is not considered to have a detrimental impact on the town centre or the reputation of the Council  
  • They are responsible for the maintenance, upkeep and security of the premises, or have the property owner’s consent to undertake works to improve security 
     

Eligible Properties 

 
To be eligible for financial support, properties must: 

  • Be located within Burnley or Padiham town centres (as defined by Burnley Council)  
  • Have a ground floor shopfront  
  • Be a permanent building (not a temporary or mobile structure)  

For applications within Burnley town centre, priority will be given to premises located within independent shopping areas, including (but not limited to) St James’s Street West, Standish Street and Keirby Walk. 

For applications within Padiham town centre, priority will be given to premises located within the conservation area and the immediate high street. 
 

Financial Support Available 

 
The Council may provide financial assistance of up to 70% of the eligible costs of improvement works, subject to a maximum grant of £3,000. Applicants will be required to fund the remaining balance of the project costs. 

Where premises are located within a Conservation Area, all works must meet the relevant conservation standards. In recognition of the potentially higher costs associated with these requirements, the maximum level of financial support may be increased to £5,000. 

Applicants may be required to undertake an assessment with a Business Advisor prior to their application being considered. 

In determining the level of financial support to be awarded, the Council will take into account: 

  • The total cost of the works and overall level of investment in the property  
  • The location of the premises and the anticipated impact of the proposed improvements  
  • The nature of the business  
  • Whether the premises are currently vacant  
  • Where applicable, the number of jobs to be created or safeguarded as a result of the investment 
  • Total cost of the measures 
  • Location of the premises 
  • Incidents of reported crime in the area 
  • Other existing security measures e.g. existing CCTV provision 

 
Planning Consent 

 
In all cases applicants will be expected to have discussed improvement proposals with Burnley Council’s Planning team and / or Conservation Officer (as appropriate) and to have obtained the necessary consents before an application will be awarded. 
 

 
Funding Availability 

 
The funding for town centre Financial Support is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis until the funding is exhausted. 
Funding will not be provided retrospectively for works already carried out prior to submitting an application or receiving a decision on a funding application. 
 
Process of Application 

 
If your business falls within the eligibility criteria for the relevant Financial Support, please contact the Business Support Team for an initial discussion and an application form. 
 
An application form should be completed and submitted to the Council together with quote(s) for the proposed works (see below for more information); 

  1. Applications for Financial Support of less than £1,000 
    Applicants must submit one quote from a competent contractor covering the proposed eligible works. This should be accompanied by visuals of any proposed signage or repainting, details of materials to be used, and information on any planned security improvements, along with a completed application form. 
  1. Applications for Financial Support of over £1,000 

Applicants must submit three quotes from competent contractors covering the proposed eligible works. These should be accompanied by visuals of any proposed signage or repainting, details of materials to be used, and information on any planned security improvements, along with a completed application form. 

 
Where the applicant is a tenant, written evidence of the property owner’s consent to the proposed improvement or security works must be submitted with the application form. A signed lease agreement will also be required before a decision can be made. 
 
Once completed and submitted, the application will be considered by the Council’s Business Support Team and where practicable a decision will be confirmed by way of an offer letter to the applicant within 3-4 weeks. 
 
Once the offer of Financial Support has been accepted in writing, the applicant will be responsible for arranging the works and paying on completion. 
 
The applicant will be reimbursed for the Financial Support proportion of the costs only on the Council:- 

  • Receiving receipted invoice(s), 
  • Receiving documentary evidence of payment 
  • Carrying out a site visit to check satisfactory completion of the works 

On-going Business Support  

  • In addition to or instead of the Financial Support outlined in this Guidance Note, advice and support may be available from an Independent Business Advisor for businesses looking to develop their business. 
  • Initial discussion with a member of the Council’s Economy & Growth team outlining your business proposals will determine if assistance can be provided. 

Contacts 

  • For an initial discussion about the Financial Support scheme and eligibility please contact the Business Support team at: Business@burnley.gov.uk / 01282 477213 

Business Growth Fund Guidance

The Business Growth Programme supports businesses based in or relocating into Burnley.  The details and criteria are:

  • The funding is available to businesses based in Burnley or businesses that are relocating into premises in Burnley (verified by checking that business rates would be payable to Burnley Borough Council).
  • The funding can support capital projects that are specifically involved with the growth of the business such as the purchase of machinery; property improvements and in some cases support towards lease costs.  Funding is not available towards salaries, subscriptions or towards the purchase of premises or vehicles.
  • The minimum project spend is £25,000
  • Grants are available for up to 20% of investment costs with a maximum grant of £20,000.  The grant amount is also dependent on job creation and safeguarding.
  • Grants cannot be paid against investment costs that have already taken place or where deposits have been paid/financial commitments have already been made.
  • For each application we require 3 quotations for each area of investment, the last two years business accounts, a business/project plan and a two-year cash flow forecast.  These will be checked and verified by a third-party.  
  • Priority will be given to businesses in key sectors and to those with strong job outputs.
  • The funding has an allocated budget for each financial year and is on a first come first served basis.  Once the budget is spent, no more applications will be taken in that financial year.

An initial discussion will be held between the business and one of the Economy & Development staff to verify if the project is suitable for assistance under the programme. Businesses with suitable projects will then be invited to apply. Contact the Business Support Team at business@burnley.gov.uk.