Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: March 13, 2024

Purpose: Proposals to launch an enhanced Retail / Shop Front improvement grants programme. Local independent retailers / small businesses will be able to apply for a grant in order to boost the appearance of their retail unit premises and / or their business operation in Crawley town centre retail units or in one of Crawley's neighbourhood parades.

Content: RESOLVED That the Cabinet: a)         approves the relaunch of the previously named Retail Improvement Grant Scheme as the Shop Front and High Street Improvement Programme and the assessment process as set out in section 5.1 of this report.   b)         allocates £70,000 of high street improvement funding from the government to the relaunched Shop Front and High Street Improvement Programme and to combine that funding with £58,000 of residual monies from the West Sussex Business Rates Pool to establish the Shop Front and High Street Improvement Programme.   c)         delegates authority to the Head of Economy and Planning, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member, to review and make minor amendments to the Shop Front and High Street improvement Programme as further changes to legislation are introduced or following any review. (Generic Delegation 7 will be used to enact this recommendation).   d)         requests that the Head of Governance, People & Performance to amend the Council’s Constitution to reflect any minor changes arising from the decision. Reasons for the Recommendations To strengthen the ability for the relaunched Shop Front and High Street Improvement Programme to support the growth of independent retailers and small businesses in Crawley by improving the attractiveness and relevance of the programme to the needs of those businesses. To enable the relaunched Shop Front and High Street Improvement Programme to strengthen the visual appearance of Crawley’s neighbourhood parades and parts of Crawley town centre in order to enhance footfall and economic vibrancy.