Westminster Council has launched a shopfront fund for Edgware Road, offering business owners of shops, cafes and restaurants the opportunity to refresh their shopfronts and signage. Following its High Streets programme of work in 2023 and publication of their Paddington to Bayswater engagement report, the Council is moving forward with priority projects.
The Council is providing free architectural and construction services with a value of up to £20,000 per unit. Works can include façade repairs, repainting and pointing, new signage, heritage awnings, traditional shopfronts, security and access improvements.
The goal is to attract more customers, improve the customer experience, and create a more welcoming and vibrant high street environment.
To qualify businesses should:
- Be trading in the Paddington – Bayswater area with a high street facing frontage within the ‘priority’ or ‘secondary’ eligibility area of Edgware Road (south of the Marylebone Flyover) or the eastern end of Praed Street.
- Have fewer than 50 employees and a turnover of less than €50 (£43.5m) million or a balance sheet total of less than €43 million (£37.4m).
- Be able to liaise and enter a contractual legal agreement with the Council.
- Not be in financial difficulty.
Businesses that are part of an international or national chain or group are not eligible to apply. Nor are betting shops, pawn brokers and shops where vape products are dominant. The Council reserves the right to decline any applicant, property owner, business or its activities that would bring the Council into disrepute or negatively impact on the Council’s reputation in any way, or any business or property owner that has an outstanding debt to the Council.
For businesses to participate and benefit from the shopfront improvements, the Council will be seeking the permission of both the business leaseholders and freeholders. The majority of the costs of the works and installation will be covered by Westminster City Council. Applicants will be expected to contribute between 10-20% of the total cost, depending on ownership.
For businesses within priority areas the Council will:
- Pay for 80-90% of the improvement works;
- Provide free architect and design advice for the shopfront transformation;
- Manage the planning application on your behalf;
- Pay any related fees or survey costs;
- Appoint and manage the building contractor and works;
- Work with businesses to minimise disruption to trade;
- Publicise the project and promote the works.
All works are expected to comply with the Council’s planning and design policies.
The Selection Process
As resources are limited, applicants will be assessed based on eligibility, impact (with priority given to prominent locations like corner units and clustered units), scale of planned works with priority afforded to a greater list of improvements, the condition of the existing shopfront, the applicant’s commitment to long-term maintenance and remaining lease length.
Timetable
The deadline for applications from businesses on Edgware Road is midnight on 29 September 2024.
The design phase will then run from November 2024 to August 2025. The Council’s appointed architect will work with the business or businesses to produce two design options, a schedule of works and indicative costs per unit.
A three-month approval process for planning, listed building, advertising consent and building control is allowed for after this. The Council’s appointed architect will lead on these applications for the business.
Finally, the Council will appoint and be responsible for overseeing the construction works and agreed costs, which is expected to take a further four months.
