Purpose

To approve the grant with only one viable quotation has been made due to the specialist nature of the works required. As the property is located within Clacton's Conservation Area, any improvements must preserve the character and appearance of the traditional shopfront, which is both a planning requirement and important in maintaining the heritage and visual quality of the town centre.
Significant refurbishment is required to the timber framework and louvred windows, and it has proven difficult to identify contractors with the specialist carpentry skills necessary to undertake the works on a like-for-like basis. Despite extensive efforts by both the business owner and the Council to obtain multiple quotations, only two contractors were willing to consider the project and only one contractor, Glen Baker and Sons Ltd, submitted a compliant quotation once advised that the original louvred design must be retained.

Given the specialist conservation requirements of the project, the lack of alternative compliant quotations, and the need to ensure the shopfront is restored to an appropriate standard, it has been determined that Glen Baker & Sons Ltd is the only viable contractor for the works. In addition, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Stephenson, has been consulted and has agreed to allow the grant to be paid with only receiving the one quotation.

Decision

To approve the payment of a grant through the Capital Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme via the Community Regeneration Partnership (CRP) to Johns Fish Bar, 23 Rosemary Road, Clacton on Sea, Essex CO15 1PA, despite only receiving one viable quotation that meets the requirements needed due to the property being in a Conservation Area.

Alternative options considered

On 7th September 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced in Parliament that a review of the Local Government Reorganisation programme was commencing and that the decision made in March 2026 for Greater Essex (and other areas) had been withdrawn in light of new legal advice. Following this announcement, local authorities received correspondence from the Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting that until this review has concluded, Councils cease work on implementing the decisions that have previously been announced. The timetable for completion of the review is unknown at this time.

This proposal is not impacted by MHCLG’s request, as the grant scheme is part of the ongoing CRP.