Alfreton Road facelift begins with first new-look shops

Alfreton Road, Nottingham, could be looking very different soon – as funding secured by Nottingham City Council to give tired shop premises a makeover kicks into action.

The Alfreton Road Grant Scheme was launched at the end of May, and offers funding to shop owners wanting to rejuvenate their trade and add some appeal. It is hoped that the money will help breathe new life into one of Nottingham’s busiest arterial routes.

Although a key route into the city from the west, the area has begun to look neglected, with high profile derelict sites, vacant units and deteriorating shops that don’t match the vibrant city centre nearby. Nottingham City Council hopes shopkeepers will take advantage of the funding to make their premises more attractive and increase the interest of shoppers in the area.

The scheme has just seen its first shopfront improvements completed. Sam’s Software at 46-48 Alfreton Road has carried out works to its frontage including washing down and scraping off old paint on the existing aluminium shopfront and repainting with new high quality paint in a new colour scheme. The makeover has made a huge difference to the appeal of the shop.

The works were funded by the business, based on competitive quotes, and the City Council will reimburse 50% of the cost of the works, up to a maximum grant of £3,000.

Unity Hair Salon at 166 Alfreton Road also received a small grant of £250 and has painted its shopfront. The small grant is designed as a ‘quick fix’ to simply freshen up a shopfront with a lick of paint.

The Grant Scheme was introduced as part of an action plan to improve the appearance of Alfreton Road, focussing on the area between Canning Circus and the junction with Hartley Road/Bentinck Road.

Cllr Nick McDonald, portfolio holder for business, growth and transport, said: “Alfreton Road is a key route into the city for residents and visitors, and its current appearance does not do justice to the many vibrant independent businesses located there. The look and feel of an approach into a city is critical in boosting trade and enhancing the feel of Nottingham.

“Just as we have launched successful schemes to revitalise Carrington Street and the train station, making the eastern approach to the city much more welcoming, so we want to help Alfreton Road to develop. We’d encourage shop owners to access the funding and see how it could change their business – and the face of the city.”

Elsewhere on the street, the City Council is working closely with the owners of the two main semi-derelict properties on the road – the Roger Smeeton site and Forest Mill site – through pre-planning application discussions to bring forward redevelopment proposals for the sites, which will significantly improve the appearance of these two major eyesores.

So far, a total of eight applications have been submitted for the main grant, for the maximum of £3,000 based on 50% match funding. Twelve applications have been submitted for the small grant of £250 which is available for simple painting of the shopfront or refreshing signage, and does not require match funding.