North Ayrshire Council has announced a new Shopfront Improvement Scheme, giving shop owners in West Kilbride a budget of £140,000 for improvement works.

The investment will build upon initial development work undertaken by West Kilbride Business Group, as well as the recently completed Phase 1 Shopfront Scheme undertaken this year.

The Council is now inviting expressions of interest from shop owners located within the Town Centre/Retailing boundary.

Priority will be given to applications within the identified priority areas, which were established at the outset through analysis by the appointed architectural consultant for Phase 1.

The main aims of the West Kilbride Shopfront Improvement Scheme are to:

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• improve the aesthetic appearance of the town centre of West Kilbride 'Craft Town'

• improve streetscape by restoring traditional shopfronts, architectural details, key frontages within specified town centre areas and minor repairs to significant and prominent building condition issues

• provide maximum positive impact to the streetscape by working in clusters of properties

• engage local community and encourage additional investment from property owners

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: "Our town centres are huge assets and this scheme will encourage West Kilbride to diversify and flourish.

"We look forward to hearing from many local businesses and seeing the work unfold."

It is anticipated that the grant scheme will be for 100% funding of agreed improvement works, up to a maximum level per property unit.

The level of grant funding available to each property will be subject to the total number of projects, priority assessment, extent and scope of works, tender returns and available funding.

Applicants who were unsuccessful in the first round of funding are eligible to reapply for this second phase of Shopfront Improvements.

Expressions of interest should be sent to the Council's Regeneration team no later than Wednesday 19 January 2022.