Businesses and homeowners in Aspatria now have until Friday, August 18 to apply for Cumberland Council’s Town Centre Facelift Grant Scheme.

The application date has been extended giving locals more opportunity to take part in the scheme.

Business and homeowners which have a frontage facing the street within the defined town centre area of Aspatria can apply for funding to help pay for improvements to look of their property.

The Facelift Scheme, funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, provides up to £1,000 for each property, with the property owner match-funding this with 10 per cent of the grant total.

The money can go towards things like materials such as paint and any labour costs, the repair or replacement of damaged items like drainpipes or guttering, and any external lighting.

Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: "The historic core of Aspatria town centre is the commercial centre of the community.

“We want to add charm and vitality, making it attractive to shoppers and visitors alike, and help to improve the appeal of this great town.

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“This is a great scheme which has worked really well in other towns and shows how a small investment can make a huge difference. I encourage everyone eligible to take advantage of the funding."

The applicant is expected to investigate whether they would require planning permission or other consent. The application can come from tenants, though they must have the approval of the landowner.    

For more information and to get an application form contact Toni Magean, at Toni.Magean@Cumberland.gov.uk.