SHOPS across Radcliffe are being offered grants in a bid to increase footfall to the town centre and upgrade the overall appearance of the high street.

Some small, independent businesses will receive help to cover the cost of improvements to the exterior of their premises to "increase kerb-appeal" and encourage new trade.

Firms are being invited to clean, decorate, make general repairs, install new shop fronts, carry out restoration work or replace signage.

Funding of up to 80 per cent of the project costs, up to a maximum of £8,000, is available to retail units in Church Street West, Stand Lane and Blackburn Street.

A pot of cash has been made available by Bury Council as part of a £1m push to regenerate Radcliffe town centre.

Applications will not be accepted from hot food takeaways, charity shops, nightclubs, taxis businesses, pawnbrokers and similar money lending businesses, according to the council.

The grant offer has been welcomed by Helen Stewart, who manages Radcliffe Flooring in Blackburn Street.

She said: “We’re pleased that these grants are available; new signage and shopfronts could make a significant difference to each individual business, and improve the overall feel of our town.

“There are so many great businesses here in Radcliffe, from national chains through to thriving independents that are really well-supported locally.

"There is plenty happening, including the fantastic new-look market which should increase footfall to the town centre. We want to encourage people who may not usually visit Radcliffe to come and see what we have to offer."

The shopfronts scheme is part of a wider programme of scheduled improvements, which include planting, new benches, signage and giving Radcliffe piazza a facelift. Other plans include installing additional CCTV and improving parking.

Businesses have been asked to write to Bury Council setting out the improvements they wish to make.

Cllr Jamie Walker, chairman of the Radcliffe Regeneration Task Group, said: “We have a great range of independent businesses in Radcliffe with a loyal customer base. We hope that by assisting them with the cost of improvements we will be supporting individual business growth as well as increasing the appeal of the town.

“We’re working hard to deliver improvements to Radcliffe town centre that are relatively small steps individually, but cumulatively will have a positive effect on our place. Radcliffe town centre has a lot to offer, and with the work that’s being delivered we’re making sure that we are doing everything we can to attract investment in."

The deadline to complete an expression of interest form is 5pm on April 15, 2019.

For more information about the scheme visit www.bury.gov.uk/radcliffeshopfronts.