BUSINESSES on Whitehaven’s struggling high street are being given a welcome cash boost under a scheme to revitalise town centres.

Grants of up to £35,000 are being made available for landlords and businesses in Cumberland as part of the High Street Building Grant Scheme.

Managed by Cumberland Council, the scheme forms part of a package of projects which aim to support businesses within the Cumberland area.

Grants are being funded through annual allocation from the Government for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The scheme has been welcomed by business owners and community leaders in Whitehaven, who have been calling for investment in the town centre.

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said: “I really welcome the council’s use of this funding to support business owners to improve their shop fronts and encourage owners of some of the empty shops to bring them back into use.

“We’ve got far too many unloved or unused properties on our high streets in Whitehaven, Workington, Cleator Moor and Egremont, so this will I hope provide a real incentive to address that and I encourage people to apply.”

Joseph Ghayouba, who represents Bransty on Cumberland Council, said: "This is good news in the short term for town centres in Cumberland such as Whitehaven; especially for responsible business owners and landlords who care about the town.

“For the longer term, we need central government to give local councils more powers to compulsory purchase properties belonging to absent and irresponsible landlords"

Gerard Richardson MBE, who owns Richardson’s of Whitehaven, said: “Any business grants can only be good for the high street and I applaud Cumberland Council for making them available.

“There’s a major issue between the uneven costs of maintaining a high street business compared to running an internet only one and grants help to level the field. In Whitehaven's case, they are most welcome because I don’t know of many retail businesses or cafes who are bucking the trend, at present.”

Charles Maudling, chairman of Whitehaven and District Chamber of Trade and owners of Charles Menswear on King Street, said: “It’s excellent. The grant which we have taken up is welcome funding from Cumberland Council to businesses. It will help us transform the look of King Street and others. It’s a good incentive.”

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “Working with partners, we have put in place plans and funding to support high streets and local economies.

“We are encouraging local businesses, community groups and organisations to apply for grants schemes that will provide a boost to the local economy.

“Grants of up to £35,000 are available for landlords and businesses in Cumberland as part of the High Street Building Grant Scheme. Managed by Cumberland Council, the scheme forms part of a package of projects which aim to support businesses within the Cumberland area.

“Funding is available to landlords and businesses within the centre boundaries of Aspatria, Brampton, Carlisle, Cleator Moor, Cockermouth, Dalston, Egremont, Keswick, Longtown, Maryport, Millom, Silloth, Whitehaven, Wigton and Workington.

“Information on all available grants and how to apply, including submission deadlines is available at www.cumberland.gov.uk/UKSPF.”