Support to help shops improve

Oct 10 2008

By Emma Ray

INDEPENDENT businesses in Nuneaton are being given special help through a package of support. A partnership of Warwickshire County Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and Business Link, West Midlands, is to provide help and advice for local independent shops. Under the scheme, retailers in Queens Road, Croft Road, Arbury Road and surrounding areas will be invited to take up business support funded by Business Link but provided by consultants Retail Workshop. The support, which will be at no cost to the retailers, will help them look at ways of improving their business. Retailers who take up this business support will also be eligible for grant funding towards physical improvements to their premises. Funding for shop improvements has been provided by the Regional Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands (AWM). This project is part of a wider regeneration scheme in Queens Road. Other improvements in this area have included upgraded crossings and a £100,000 environmental improvement scheme adjacent to the old Kwik Save store, which is nearing completion. Cllr Chris Saint, Warwickshire County Council’s economic development portfolio holder, said: “This is an excellent initiative, demonstrating once again what can be achieved by different bodies working together. “I urge all retailers to make the most of this opportunity. I’m sure this business support, combined with the environmental works in Queens Road, will help lift the whole area, while providing a significant boost to the local economy.”