1 - Retail Improvement Scheme Board Paper - AM reviewed
Renfrewshire Council · 5 November 2024
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 5 November 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Page 1 of 4 ___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 05 November 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Retail Improvement Scheme – Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 This report provides a summary of the Retail Improvement Scheme’s (RIS) position since the last update to the Economy and Regeneration Policy Board on 07 November 2023. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: (i) Note the contents of this report. (ii) Authorises the Head of Economy and Development to explore any potential funding options for future rounds of the scheme. 3. Background 3.1 The RIS has run annually since 2012 and supports Renfrewshire based businesses to undertake external property improvements such as the creation of new shopfront fascia signs and shutters. 3.2 Grants up to a maximum of £12,000 are made available with contributions up to 70% of qualifying works. Larger awards have been offered to support projects in exceptional circumstances which would likely result in significant regeneration outcomes e.g. the refurbishment of the James Maitland designed former ‘Malatso’ unit on Paisley High Street.
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Page 2 of 4 3.3. Since its inception, the RIS has been a key element of the Council’s agenda to improve town centres and build positive relationships with the local business community. 3.4. Approximately £755k has been awarded to 106 different projects across Renfrewshire since 2016. A spotlight report has been included in Appendix A, which provides a more detailed review of the scheme between 2022/23 and 2024/25 and provides an overview of some of the current notable projects. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Current Retail Improvement Scheme 2024/25 4.1. In February 2024, £70k was allocated to the Scheme as set out in Council Motion 4 – ‘Commit £70k to supplement the Retail Improvement Fund’. 4.2 The first application window of the RIS relaunched in April 2024 for a six-week period, closing in May. Fourteen applications were received from a good mix of businesses across Renfrewshire’s towns and villages. The second application window opened in September 2024 and will close on October 16 2024. 4.3 Applications from the first application window have been from businesses located in Kilbarchan, Bishopton, Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew. Thirteen of these have received grant awards with one still awaited, owing to a further information request from the applicant. 4.4 Applications include a vacant former hairdresser's on a prominent corner of Renfrew (44 Canal Street), which will be converted into a cocktail bar, and the former Royal Bank of Scotland unit on Church Street in Johnstone, which has been converted into a fast food business. These RIS projects will have a positive impact on the respective town centres. 4.5 The £70k budget was largely committed during the first application window. The RIS will be supplemented by the Place-Based Investment Programme (PBIP), which will allocate an additional £50k for the second application window. Projects are set to be completed by spring 2025. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Next steps 5.1 Officers will now consider how to fund future rounds of the RIS, along with any necessary adjustments to the grant process based on applicant feedback and market conditions. 5.2 If funding can be secured for future rounds of the scheme, progress will continue to be reported to the Board on a rolling basis.
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Page 3 of 4 __________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – None; as funding already forms part of Council’s approved budget. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community/Council Planning • Our Renfrewshire is thriving – regeneration projects result in a stimulus to the local economy via contracts won, visitors and user numbers. The RIS supports objectives to develop Renfrewshire’s economy, including its Town Centres as thriving places, supporting local places, businesses, and communities. • Reshaping our place, our economy, and our future - The projects secure the productive re-use of a buildings and provide new facilities and services which will contribute to supporting growth. Increased footfall offers potential benefits to traders, assisting the economy of our town centres. • Working together to improve outcomes - Renfrewshire Council is working with businesses and owners and providing support to maximise the opportunities for regeneration in Renfrewshire’s settlements. 4. Legal – None. 5. Property/Assets – None. 6. Information Technology – None. 7. Equality & Human Rights The recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. 8. Health & Safety – None. 9. Procurement – None. 10. Risk – None. 11. Privacy Impact - None. 12. Climate Risk – Not Applicable 13. Children’s Rights – None. 14. Cosla Policy Position – None. _________________________________________________________
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Page 4 of 4 List of Background Papers a) Report to Economy and Regeneration Board, Retail Improvement Scheme – Update and Next Steps. 7th November 2023 b) Report to Leadership Board, 20th April 2022, Spotlight Report on the Retail Improvement Scheme – 2016 to 2022 c) Report to Leadership Board, 15th September 2021 - Place Based Investment Fund 2021/22 d) Report to Leadership Board, 20 June 2018 – Invest in Renfrewshire Future Funding and Services e) Report to Economy and Jobs Policy Board, 25th May 2016 – Invest in Renfrewshire: Retail Improvement Scheme Update ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Euan Shearer, Regeneration and Place Manager. Euan.shearer@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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1 Spotlight on… Retail Improvement Scheme 2022/23 - 2024/25
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2 RIS Overview The Retail Improvement Scheme (RIS) supports owners and occupiers of small business properties in retail areas throughout Renfrewshire with grant assistance towards the cost of shopfront improvements. Since its launch (circa 2012), the RIS has helped over 205 businesses improve their commercial shop frontages and has contributed to a number of vacant units being returned to beneficial use. Outcomes of the scheme have supported the economic viability of our town, local and village centres, supporting their role at the heart of communities and the principle of the ‘20-minute neighbourhood’. The scheme has also supported a range of local businesses and contractors, generating wider economic benefits across Renfrewshire. Applications have achieved a wide geographical coverage and vary in both type size and scale, from ‘conservation standard’ shop front enhancements to simple gable repairs and replacement of solid roller shutters. Historically, RIS rounds were split into two application phases over the year. This was changed to a single round due to impacts of the pandemic. The phased approach has now been reinstated for the current RIS round. This report sets out the performance of the RIS over the last 3 years; including the current round.
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3 Key Statistics 2022/23 - 2024/25 Number and spend A total of 47 awards applications were made between the 2022/23 and 2024/25 rounds. 14 applicants have received awards in the current (2024/25 round so far with further applications expected in the second phase of this round (currently live at the time of writing). It is likely that a further £50,000 will be released at the conclusion of 2024/25 (part 2). This will bring the total invested over the last three rounds to almost £300k. 20+8+24+4+15+4 18 7 2 2024 2025 2023 2024 2022 2023 £ 95,000.00 Successful / Total Spend Year of Application Unsuccessful / Withdrawn 19 1 £ 87,617.00 14 £ 87,558.00 1
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4 Awards by area The majority of successful applications received were from businesses based in Paisley (21), reflecting the role of the town as the strategic centre for Renfrewshire. A range of applications were received from other large centres such as Johnstone (8) and Renfrew (8), as well as with from smaller towns and villages (10) across Renfrewshire. 8 8 21 Lochwinnoch £ 3,850 2 Bridge of Weir £ 9,416 3 Elderslie £ 12,000 1 Bishopton £ 12,900 2 Paisley £ 112,822 Johnstone £48,120 Renfrew £29,565 1 Houston £ 2,600 1 Kilbarchan £ 3,168
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5 Number of vacant premises brought into use In the three-year period, 10 business premises were vacant at the time of their RIS application. Following approval and subsequent work undertaken on frontages, 6 premises have been returned to beneficial use and are trading whilst 2 are now either completing internal works or advertised for lease. The remaining 2 vacant businesses are included in the current 2024/25 round. These businesses have received grant awards but are yet to undertake works. It is anticipated that following completion, these premises will become occupied. Applications by use The vast majority (55%) of applicants were retailers followed by cafes, restaurants and drinking establishments (21%) , professional services (15%) and other (9%). 55+21+15+9+K Retailers 55% Hospitality 21% Services 15% Other 9% +6
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6 Current RIS round (2024/25) Part 1 of the current RIS round launched in April 2024, with a £70k budget allocated at the Council budget meeting on 29 February 2024. Following the grant deadline, a total of 16 applications were received, of which 14 were awarded funding. Part 2 of the round launched in early September 2024, with a £50k budget provided by the Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP). This grant is still active at the time of writing, and applications are being assessed toward the end of October 2024. Together, Parts 1 and 2 will result in approximately £120k being awarded to businesses by the conclusion of the current RIS round.
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7 2022 2023 Lochwinnoch Grant provided for new retailer on the High St specialising in natural health and environmentally friendly products. Works included new signage and electric shutters. 2023 2024 Paisley Support in the form of completely new shopfront (including handpainted sign) to a much loved independent sewing school business in the heart of Paisley Town Centre. Before After AfterBefore
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8 2024 2025 Johnstone Support in the form of new sinage, replacement shopfront windows and door with new security shutters. The unit was previously vacant in a prominent position in the heart of Johnstone Town Centre. 2023 2024 Elderslie Support in the form of completely new shopfront (including handpainted sign) to a independent florist business on the Main Road in Elderslie. Works include a complete shopfront including new timber windows and paintwork. Before After Before After
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9 Development of RIS An online portal that simplifies the application process for both applicants and assessing officers is now fully operational and functioning successfully. Minor changes to the RIS Guidelines and processes have been implemented, including clarifying the guidelines on eligible works, reintroducing a double application window, and conducting more vigilant checks on whether applicants owe debts to the Council. Once this year’s RIS is complete, officers will review whether there is potential for further improvements to the scheme. As of now, no future funding has been secured for additional rounds of the scheme.