Appleby Council have launched a new grant scheme to help improve the look of Appleby’s town centre.

The scheme, was only established at the beginning of the year, with support from Appleby Community Enterprises (ACE), a not for profit enterprise, who have worked with Appleby Council and local businesses over the past few years to facilitate various business development initiatives in Appleby. Alan McViety, former Director of ACE commented “We have worked successfully in partnership with Appleby Town Council over the years to facilitate various business improvement initiatives in Appleby and when the directors of ACE decided it was time to wind the community business down and had to decide what to do with the remaining reserves of the company, the idea of supporting a shop front grant scheme with Appleby Town Council, seemed like the perfect fit.  We are absolutely delighted with how popular the scheme has been and the difference it is already making to the town centre.”

The scheme has already awarded ten grants to local town centre businesses and because the initial take-up of the grants was so popular, Appleby Town Council approved the continuation of the grant scheme when setting their budgets for this financial year. Councillor Jim Chalmers, Chair of Appleby Town Council Finance Committee commented “The disrepair of some of the town centre shop fronts was of big concern to the Council, business owners and residents and we are delighted to be able to establish this grant fund with support from ACE and with the great take up it has received. Appleby Council are committed to continue the scheme as long as there is a need.”

Work has been completed on three retail premises on Bridge Street, which has already made such a difference to the town centre.

To be eligible for the grant, applicants must be small independent businesses, or owners of retail premises (occupied or unoccupied) and located within Appleby town centre. The repairs must be in respect of work to the external elevation of the shop front. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Repairs to windows and doors
  • Repairs to external stonework and brickwork
  • Repair and reinstatement of guttering and down-pipes
  • Painting of external property front
  • Improvements to shop signage.
  • The repairs will make a positive impact to the surrounding businesses and street.

Applicants must provide at least 33% towards the costs of the repairs and the maximum grant awarded will be £1,000.

For an application form and guidelines, please email clerk@applebytown.gov.uk or pop into Appleby Tourist Information Centre.

11th August 2026