£2m high street investment fund relaunched
Sheffield’s £2m Economic Recovery Fund is back and accepting more applications from businesses and community leaders to help improve local high streets and encourage residents to spend their time there.
The Economic Recovery Fund is a grant scheme supporting local projects which meet the needs of the business community – such as events, marketing, promotion, physical improvements, creating new business and trader forms – or anything else applicants feel will benefit their high street.
The Fund was first launched in 2021 and has been brought back again this year. Applicants have a choice of two funding pots to apply for:
- The District Centre Fund – for projects focused around one or several specific high street areas. This fund offers grants of up to £200,000 for a large project or up to £50,000 for a small one.
- The Flexible Fund – for projects that may be city-wide, focused on lots of high street areas, or a whole sector. It is aimed at bringing forward new and innovative ideas that benefit local businesses. This fund offers grants of up to £50,000.
Applicants can request support with their application from an Application Development Worker. They will support prospective applicants to convene a project team, develop ideas and write and submit an application.
Councillor Martin Smith, Sheffield City Council’s chair of the Economic Policy and Skills Committee and Economic Recovery Fund Steering Group, said: “After the success of the Economic Recovery Fund’s first round, we’re pleased to open the Fund back up to new teams and help them bring new life into their neighbourhoods or sectors.”
Applications will close on 30 April, and the team expects to let applicants know if they’ve been successful at the start of June, with funded projects beginning in the summer.
Anyone interested in applying can call 0114 224 5000 or e-mail recoveryfund@sheffield.gov.uk
