Shop Unit Business Grant (Rotherham)

Description

Capital grants to improve the exterior (and in some cases interior) of business premises across Rotherham's priority high-street locations, with a specific strand supporting the reoccupation of empty units. Existing businesses can claim funding towards works like re-painting, new windows/doors/shop frontage, improved access, and signage; bringing an empty unit back into use can secure a larger grant. Funded jointly through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the council's Local Growth Fund allocation, with a further £666,655 committed for 2026/27 after high demand in the scheme's first year (46 businesses funded).

Eligibility summary

• Available in: England.
• Applicant must be a registered business.
• Most relevant to: Retail.

Notes

Priority order is: bringing empty units back into use, then external works, then internal fabric works. High Street Business Advisers are also being recruited to work directly with traders in Rotherham's principal town centres. An August 2026 council/press update confirms the scheme was refined and re-funded (£666,655 total, £117,643 of it added from UKSPF) with these same amounts, though investrotherham.com's general business-support page no longer lists this scheme by name alongside Productivity/Low Carbon grants — contact RiDO directly to confirm live status.

Requirement

Existing or prospective businesses in Rotherham's priority high-street locations: Rotherham town centre, Parkgate/Rawmarsh, Dinnington, Maltby, Swinton, Thurcroft, Wath, and Dalton. Applications outside these areas are considered case-by-case.