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

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

There was £150,000 available, and businesses could apply for a grant of between £5,000 and £10,000. The grant covered up to 80% of the project cost.

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

Applications closed for this grant on 27 February 2026.

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 could apply

Business owners could submit one application per eligible property they own. The grant was 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 were considered. Priority went to properties in conservation areas with heritage value on:

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

Exemptions

The grant was not used for projects that:

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

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

• national retailers, chains, or multiples
• national charities

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

How to apply

We are no longer accepting applications for this grant.

Businesses had to complete an expression of interest form before applying. We checked that all projects were eligible. Applicants had to comply with all legislation relating to:

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

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

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

What happened next

We reviewed the proposal. If the application did not meet the criteria, we provided feedback to explain why. If it did meet the criteria, it moved to stage two.

Stage two

Applicants were 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 could attend drop-in sessions for support with design and development policies.

Stage three

If the full application was successful, it moved to stage three, where a panel made a final decision. Applicants were notified in writing within five working days.

Terms and conditions

See our terms and conditions page for more information.