The scheme follows the success of the Council’s previous scheme delivered from UK Shared Prosperity Funding in 2024/25 where 10 grants with a value of over £90,000 were awarded to local businesses.
The shop frontage grant programme is part of the Council’s wider regeneration plan to improve the town centre. It is hoped the scheme will make it easier for occupied and vacant units in key areas of the town to improve their appearance and make them more attractive towards external investors.
The programme is open from April 2026 until the end of March 2029, but works will be allowed to continue until the end of March 2030.
Grants will be given to businesses that are visibly in poor condition and are having a negative impact on the area, as judged by site visits from council officers.
Funding will be targeted towards premises in Sheep Street and High Street during the first year of the scheme, before being extended to new areas in the second and third year. These will be confirmed, but are likely to be North Street, Railway Terrace, and Albert Street.
Any business that successfully applies for the enabling grant, for design and planning permission support can then apply for a works grant. While there is no match-funding required for the enabling grant, a business applying for a works grant must match-fund at least 20% of the cost.
The Council has produced a shopfront design guide which all applicants will need to follow as part of the grant process and can be found in the application pack for the grant. The guide aims to help businesses and landlords understand what constitutes good design for shop fronts.
Cllr Michael Moran, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “Like many towns, shop frontages in Rugby town centre could be a lot better, and we want to work with occupiers and landlords to improve them in the areas that need them the most.
“The targeted approach we are taking will ensure these improvements will deliver maximum impact in the town centre while keeping the cost to taxpayers at a minimum.
“Improved shop frontages, whether at an occupied unit or a vacant one, can make such a difference to the feel of a town.
“We strongly believe that this scheme, alongside the several other projects we are delivering to improve the town centre, will make Rugby a better place to live, work, visit, and invest in, and we encourage eligible businesses to apply.”
Cllr Jerry Roodhouse, Chair of the Rugby Town Centre Working Group, added: “We welcome this new scheme which will enable many businesses in the town centre to access the funding they need to improve their frontages.
“It clearly demonstrates our commitment to working together to not only support our town’s businesses, but improve the whole of Rugby Town Centre.”
