Business owners and managers on Alfreton Road are being invited to a drop-in session on Thursday 19 May to discuss a new £50,000 grant scheme to improve the look of the street.

The City Council is launching a new grants scheme for businesses to improve the appearance of their properties on Alfreton Road.

The council carried out a study and concluded that one of the key actions to improve the street was to implement a grant scheme similar to the successful Vacant Shop Grant Scheme that operated in the city centre between 2013 and 2015.  The Alfreton Road grant scheme will be slightly different in that both vacant and occupied properties will be eligible for funding.

The aim of the grant scheme is to improve properties to boost the appearance of the street as a major thoroughfare and encourage more customers to use the range of businesses on the street.

The drop-in sessions will be held at the Groundwork Greater Nottingham offices in Tennyson Hall on Forest Road West, just off Alfreton Road.  There are two sessions available, so that daytime and evening businesses will be able to attend at a time to suit them.  Businesses can drop in anytime between 3-5pm or 6-8pm.

The meeting will also be an opportunity for businesses to speak to City Council officers to raise any key issues and challenges they face as traders on Alfreton Road, and what business support they may need in future.

Councillor Nick McDonald, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Transport said:  “The City Council is committed to supporting businesses on Alfreton Road and the grant scheme shows our support in a very practical way, which we hope will encourage future investment into this street.

“Alfreton Road is an important arterial route and key gateway into the city centre, but also provides shopping and services for local residents, so it is important that the appearance gives a good impression as people move through the area as well as making the businesses attractive to potential customers.”