Two new funds have been launched today to support businesses and community organisations in Liscard, as part of regeneration plans for the town centre.
The Liscard Business Grant Scheme and the Liscard Community Grant Scheme have been set up to help transform Liscard town centre and support its long-term future – with one-off grants of up to £10,000 available through both schemes.
Existing independent small or micro businesses and social enterprises in Liscard town centre, and those looking to expand or establish themselves there, can apply to the Liscard Business Grant Scheme. This grant is available to cover the costs of capital works which will contribute to regeneration and sustainable growth in the town, creating a more attractive environment and encourage more people to spend time there.
Wirral-based not-for-profit groups can apply for grants of up to £10,000 from the Liscard Community Grant Scheme. Proposals are welcomed from organisations which want to develop and deliver community-based projects to reinvigorate Liscard as part of the town centre’s regeneration programme. Priority will be given to eligible applicant organisations with existing links to the Liscard community.
The funding for the grants has come from Wirral’s allocation of £1 million from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Town Centre Fund. Liscard and New Ferry were nominated by Wirral Council to receive investment from the Fund in the borough, which was created to improve the vitality and viability of the region’s town and district centres.
This Town Centre Programme will be used for these new grant schemes and activities for young people, and longer-term projects including the development of the Neighbourhood Framework for Liscard: An Integrated Masterplan. This plan will set out an ambitious vision for the future and provide a clear framework to guide the economic growth of Liscard over the next 15 years. More details on the Neighbourhood Framework will be released later this summer.
Businesses are able to apply to the Liscard Business Grant Scheme to make internal improvements such as fitting out vacant or existing premises through upgrading fixtures and fittings or equipment, providing better customer facilities or security features. It can also be used to improve the appearance of shop fronts by replacing signage or external furniture, making building repairs, replacing shutters, making access improvements or repainting.
Applications for the Liscard Community Grant Scheme could feature cultural activities, socially distanced interactive activities involving film, music, drama, dance to include Liscard residents and groups; youth diversionary initiatives, such as sports, arts, media and cultural activities; projects to improve the local environment, outdoor community spaces or the public realm. Proposals for temporary use of vacant retail units for community activities are also welcomed.
Projects can be delivered from early September and completed by mid-December 2021 – any proposals need to be well-developed and be deliverable within these timescales. The deadline for applications is 19 July 2021 at 12 noon. Applicants will be advised of the outcome in the week commencing 9 August 2021.
Alan Evans, Director of Regeneration and Place at Wirral Council commented: “These new grants are about recognising the importance of the high street and fostering pride in the community. We want to make Liscard more diverse and attractive to people coming into the town centre, by supporting projects which benefit the community and championing our independent traders.
“We’ll soon be releasing details of our 15-year masterplan for Liscard which will detail the long-term vision for the town centre. In the meantime, we’re pleased to be able to make these funds available which will allow businesses and community groups to make meaningful and noticeable improvements over the coming months.”
To be eligible for either grant, businesses or community organisations must be based in, or expanding into, Liscard town centre. This is defined by the map available on the Council website, where you can also find full details of the eligibility criteria and how to apply www.wirral.gov.uk/liscard. If you have any queries ahead of applying after reading the guidance online, please email liscardgrants@wirral.gov.uk.