Three empty High Street units filled

Three empty high street units filled and new jobs created in Grantham

InvestSK, South Kesteven’s economic growth and regeneration company, has announced the first three recipients of its Town Centre Investment Fund which aims to support growing businesses and breathe fresh life into local town centres.

The Teaspoon Tea Company, Flowers from Holland and Greenwood Homecare will collectively receive £21,000 in grant funding from InvestSK’s Town Centre Investment Fund, which is backed by South Kesteven District Council.

The funding will support the businesses to realise their growth plans – jointly creating up to 41 new jobs during the next two years – and will fill three units which are currently standing empty in Grantham’s town centre.

The Teaspoon Tea Company, a specialist teashop in Grantham, will now be able to expand their retail business by increasing the tea range and other concessions available in store by moving into the former Real Burger Co. unit on the high street. The grant will support the company to stay in Grantham’s town centre and create five new jobs.

Flowers from Holland will now open their second shop in Grantham. The florist, which imports the finest Dutch flowers, will grow its business by targeting the high-end wedding market and expand its offer by delivering workshops and vocational training. Their second shop, to open on Westgate, will create two new jobs and will give the florist a high street presence.

Greenwood Homecare, a high-quality and specialised care company, will expand their business from Peterborough into South Kesteven and create up to 34 jobs in Grantham during the next two years. Their presence will create additional footfall for local businesses, with their healthcare offer directly supporting the government’s Future High Street initiative which is designed to diversify the high street.

Chief executive of InvestSK, Steve Bowyer, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to help two existing Grantham companies to expand their business on the high street, and support a new business to relocate to the district too. We established the Town Centre Investment Fund to help boost our high streets and I’m pleased to see a range of applications coming forward to help us achieve that.

“There’s still time for other growing companies from any of South Kesteven’s market towns to apply, and I’d urge anyone interested to get in touch quickly before the fund closes for this financial year.”

Councillor Nick Robins, cabinet member for retail and visitor economy at South Kesteven District Council, said: “The Council recognises the importance of supporting business growth and driving high street activity so was pleased to create the Town Centre Investment Fund for InvestSK.

“The fund tackles both our ambitions: filling vacant units to increase the diversity and vibrancy of our market town centres and, importantly, creating valuable jobs. I’d strongly encourage businesses in our other towns to come forward and apply.”

InvestSK’s Town Centre Investment Fund is designed to facilitate growth on South Kesteven’s high streets by supporting companies looking to grow their businesses into vacant town centre units within any of the district’s four market towns; Grantham, Stamford, Market Deeping and Bourne. Up to £10,000 is available to help with the capital costs associated with their move.

Grants are still available and the deadline for applications for funding from the current financial year has been extended to Friday March 22. For more information and to apply, visit: www.investsk.co.uk/business-support/towncentreinvestmentfund

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