Lib Dems urge Council to extend Shop Grants to parades outside centre

Timperley’s Liberal Democrat Councillors are encouraging business-owners to apply for grants from Trafford Council’s shop-front refurbishment scheme.

Previous schemes were restricted to “Town Centres” and the Liberal Democrats lobbied the ruling Labour Administration about the fact that “Village Centres” including Timperley were missing out.

Councillor Julian Newgrosh said: "I am delighted that the latest Shop Grant Scheme now includes Timperley. The local Lib Dem team pushed for the expansion of the scheme, to include Timperley.

“It has been a hard few years for local High Streets, Timperley shops deserve support from the Council to ensure our Village thrives, and this scheme will support that.”

However, the list of shops that can apply is restricted to a tight area around the cross-roads in the middle of Timperley Village. Some of that area is occupied by larger national chain-stores.

Councillor Newgrosh added: “The map doesn’t even include our local Chippy!”

Councillor Will Frass said: "I really want to see as much of the funding as possible go to small independent businesses – they should be the focus of this scheme.

“There are many independently-run shops outside the Village itself, who would really benefit from support like this. I have asked the Council to look again at the criteria to see if they can extend the Scheme to include the parades of shops outside the centre of Timperley as well."

As soon as the scheme launched, Councillors Newgrosh and Frass were promoting it to local businesses, and the initial feedback from shopkeepers in Timperley has been enthusiastic, with several keen to apply.