Falmouth Small Business Shopfront Improvement Scheme Launched

Falmouth Small Business Shopfront Improvement Scheme Launched

The Falmouth Town Council and Falmouth BID partnership – Falmouth Town Team – have today launched a business shopfront improvement scheme to support businesses, having been successful in securing funds from Cornwall Council’s Town Delivery Fund.

The scheme will provide small and independent businesses in the town centre with the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £1000 in order to support proactive, front-facing projects they may be working on or considering, in order to enhance their ‘kerb appeal’. That could mean external painting, decorations, lighting or signage work that could assist in lifting the frontage of a property within the town centre. 

With high streets facing a variety of unprecedented challenges, their successful re-purposing to ensure that they remain fit for purpose requires a range of dynamic and creative interventions. Over the years, the Falmouth Town Team has delivered a host of innovative projects, whether that be engaging destination marketing campaigns, much-needed business skills and security programmes, or organising some of Cornwall’s most colourful festivals, all to raise Falmouth’s profile, attract inward investment, footfall or to assist its business community. Such work ensures Falmouth remains one of the south west’s most creative and dynamic coastal towns.

Alongside these impactful projects, investment in the public realm is vitally important, so the team have worked on, where permissions allow, revamping empty retail units, installing eye-catching floral displays, street flags, bunting or pedestrian wayfinding, and co-ordinating green space revitalisation. The Town Team will also be looking to enhance a number of these elements in addition to activating the shopfront scheme.

Commenting on Falmouth’s Shopfront Improvement Scheme, Richard Wilcox, Executive Director of Falmouth BID said:

“We’re very pleased to have been successful with our funding application and will look to support our business community through this process. We know how challenging it is for many small businesses at the present time and so we’ll continue to investigate different avenues and opportunities that could make a difference to them and their trading environment. We look forward to liaising with those businesses who proactively engage with the process to understand how this scheme may benefit them.”

Mark Williams, Clerk to Falmouth Town Council added:

“Falmouth’s diverse small business scene is one of the town’s key strengths. The sector however, both nationally and regionally, has faced many challenges over the past few years, and so the more support Town Council and its partners can offer, the better. We hope the small business shopfront improvement scheme will stimulate interest and engagement across the high street.”

Commenting on the Town Delivery Fund, Councillor Louis Gardener, Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holder for the Economy for Cornwall Council said:

“The Falmouth Shop Front Improvement Scheme is a fantastic opportunity to boost local pride and support small businesses at what is a really difficult time. By investing in the appearance of shopfronts, Falmouth will enhance the charm of its streets and attract more visitors to explore what Falmouth has to offer. A well-maintained storefront not only draws in customers but also strengthens the sense of community and shared investment in the town’s future. This initiative aims to foster local business growth, revitalizes the high street, and helps make Falmouth a more vibrant, welcoming place for both residents and visitors. I am delighted that Cornwall Council has been able to support Falmouth in this way.”

About the Falmouth Small Business Shopfront Improvement Scheme 

• The scheme is open to Falmouth’s town centre businesses only
• The scheme launches today 6 November and applications are invited from Falmouth’s small, independent business community
• Funding of up to £1000 per business will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis
• Further details on the fund and how Falmouth businesses can apply can be found here – Shopfront Improvement Scheme