We have secured funding to help town centre businesses improve shop fronts. The fund can be used for:

• improving signs, lighting and outside features
• pre-application and planning permission fees
• repairs and restoration

There is £150,000 available, and businesses can apply for a grant of between £5,000 and £10,000. The grant will cover up to 80% of the project cost.

In special cases, grants over £10,000 may be approved if the project supports our town centre vision in the Corporate Strategy and Local Plan.

Key dates

• expression of interest forms for the first round of funding will be accepted from 2 January 2026
• closing date for expression of interest forms is the 27 February 2026
• closing date for full applications is 31 March 2026
• panel assessment starts in April 2026, and grant awards are made
• if funding remains, a second round will open

Who can apply

Business owners can submit one application per eligible property they own. The grant is open to:

• independent businesses
• shops
• restaurants, pubs and cafes
• service businesses in retail-type properties (e.g., solicitors, estate agents, accountants)

Applicants must:

• have at least 36 months left on their lease or tenancy
• provide landlord consent
• be up to date with business rate payments and One Maidstone BID levy fees

Eligible areas

Only businesses within the town centre boundary will be considered. Priority will go to properties in conservation areas with heritage value on:

• Gabriel’s Hill
• Earl Street
• Week Street
• High Street

Exemptions

The grant cannot be used for projects that:

• only meet legal requirements such as the Disability Discrimination Act
• support religious or political activities
• improve residential properties

The grant is not available to businesses in the following sectors:

• national retailers, chains, or multiples
• national charities

VAT expenditure is not eligible for grant funding if the business is VAT registered.

How to apply

Businesses must complete an expression of interest form before applying. We will check that the project is eligible. Applicants must comply with all legislation relating to:

• planning and planning permission
• building control
• health and safety
• any other legal requirements

Proposed work must match our design style in the adopted shop front design guidance.

Additional funding options may be available for some projects. Applicants can discuss this with our business advisor by emailing shopfrontImprovement@maidstone.gov.uk.

Apply for the grant

What happens next

We will review the proposal. If the application does not meet the criteria, we will provide feedback to explain why. If it does meet the criteria, it will move to stage two.

Stage two

Applicants will be invited to complete the full form and provide:

• proof of property ownership or occupation (including length of lease and owner consent)
• copies of statutory consents (e.g. planning permission, listed building consent)
• proof that they can afford the remaining 20% (bank statements, loan agreement etc)
• three quotes for work showing materials, method and value for money

Applicants can attend drop-in sessions if they need support with design and development policies.

Stage three

If the full application is successful, it will go to stage three, where a panel will make the final decision. Applicants will be notified in writing within five working days.

Terms and conditions

See our terms and conditions page for more information.