Seven shops and businesses across Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton and Shefford will be a part of Central Bedfordshire Council’s revamp scheme.
The local authority’s £1 million High Street Improvement Scheme, in partnership with town councils, means that grants have been offered to landlords and companies for up to 60 per cent of total costs for renovating shop fronts, forecourts and making improvements to vacant units.
The beneficiaries – which will collectively benefit from more than £115,000 – are two popular food and drink establishments, three shops, a dental practice and an independent opticians.
The biggest beneficiaries are Sandy’s Pecoro Pizzeria and Italian restaurant, and The Surfin’ Café in Biggleswade.
Pecoro’s will be given £38,675 which will go some way to transform the outside terrace to increase the restaurants capacity by 100 per cent – helping the owners to meet demand.
A full refit will be done at Surfin’ Café with its £29,930.40 grant. The café will be completely rebranded to Market House – doubling external space, replacing windows and providing new lighting.
Potton’s Market Square will be rejuvenated with enhancements to Potton Food Store which will be given £10,306.20 from the grant for new windows, a canopy, new lighting, new signage, printing, woodwork replacements and creating access for disabled users.
Also in Potton’s Market Square, Clayton’s Family Butchers will received a grant of £4,661.40 – while Cameron’s Newsagents will be granted £6,594.60.
Clear Vision Direct independent opticians in Biggleswade and Shefford Dental Practice will also benefit from the grant.
Councillor Nigel Young, Central Beds Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “We are committed to revitalising our market towns so we’re delighted that the High Street Improvement Scheme will help these already popular businesses enhance their offers by standing out more and enticing people in to boost the vibrancy of the area.
“Complemented by the Market Town Regeneration Fund initiatives already announced for Potton, Sandy and Shefford, this is another example of our area-wide focus on helping to rejuvenate and revitalise the hearts of our communities.”
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