We want to understand what your shop front will look like when the works have finished.
Specify details of the proposed improvements and the finishes, for example:
- staining/colours - with the British Standard Colour Chart number referenced - heritage colours should be used for buildings within conservation areas
- drawings - showing the dimensions
- signage proof
- explain how the appearance of your business premises will be improved for potential customers
Without the detail and finishes specified, your application cannot be determined. You are asked to be specific in your funding request, and to list all items for which you required funding.
Where statutory consents are required, it will be sufficient to provide the reference number for these, instead of enclosing the drawings with your application.
Provide as much detail as possible on the improvements that you wish to make, this will be evaluated by Planning and will help them to advise you if consents are required.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to apply for any statutory consents that are required, and to secure these prior to works. Planning will provide information on consents required based on the information that applicants include in their application.
Please note that:
- a Permission to Start Letter will not be issued by the by the Community Anchor Group without a reference to show consents have been approved
- planning permission is usually required for any alteration that materially affects the external appearance of a building, including canopies/awnings, and painting within conservation areas
- listed building consent may also be required for shop fronts as part of listed buildings
- many proposed signs require advertisement consent - for signage, please refer to our Advertisements Consents (PDF 2.23 MB)
- a building warrant may also be required, depending on the level of intervention
- evidence of pre-application communication (emails) Statutory consents (such as in relation to planning consent/ advert consent/ listed building consent/ building warrant) - please provide the relevant reference numbers if applicable
It is not necessary to have secured consent before making an application for funding, but you will have to show in writing that you have had communication on your proposal with the relevant department.
Provide the reference number for any statutory consents applied for.
For shop front design principles, please refer to our local development plan, Shop Front Design Guidance (DPF 2.86 MB)
Contact information for the Development Management:
Contact information on Building Standards:
Remember to make use of the frequently asked questions.
Photographs describing the current condition of the property must also be provided. Please note that we may then use these, alongside ‘after’ images on our website, and to generally help publicise and promote the scheme.
What you can apply for
General repairs
Small-scale repairs can include the following:
- joinery repairs to fascias, stall risers and to windows and doors – excluding the use of UPVC within conservation areas
- glazing repairs to windows, doors and transom or fan lights
- tiling repairs to doorstep and recessed doorways
- ironwork
- masonry repairs - where this area abuts the shop front
- cladding repairs - where this area abuts the shop front
- leadwork, coping and guttering repairs - where these abut the shop front
Repair/restoration of traditional architectural elements
Traditional architectural repairs can include the following:
- joinery - repairs to decorative features such as mullions, consoles, pilasters and to windows and doors
- masonry - repairs/restoration to decorative traditional aspects
- canopies - repairs to traditional blinds and awnings
- decorative ironwork
Painting
Painting is funding eligible - if within a conservation area please use heritage colours:
- painting of timber - in a heritage type colour within conservation areas
- painting of masonry in a breathable paint - in a heritage colour within conservation areas
- please note that the painting of stonework, where paint has never before been applied will not be an eligible cost - where stonework has traditionally been painted however, a breathable paint would be eligible - in a heritage colour within conservation areas
- paint removal is also an eligible cost, provided this is undertaken in a sensitive manner and a methodology statement is supplied to detail the approach
Please note we strongly recommend you buy and test a paint colour sample prior to purchasing the paint.
Signage
Signage can include the following:
- repairs to existing sign boards – fascia signs and hanging signs
- replacement of plastic fascias with timber - please note that all timber should be sustainably sourced from managed forests
- sign writing, either painted or cast vinyl raised letters - of a traditional style only
Replacement
Replacement includes:
- replacement of modern shop fronts with a traditional shop front of classical proportions - please note that all timber should be sustainably sourced from managed forests and surviving traditional fabric should be restored wherever possible
- replacement awnings and canopies - with the exception of Dutch canopies
- new steel beams - where these abut the shop front
- glazing - replacement shatterproof glass is encouraged, unless the glass is historic and part of the traditional shop front character
New additions
Additions include:
- provision for enhanced disabled access
- new timber hanging signs and brackets
- new traditional style awnings and canopies - with the exception of Dutch canopies
Professional fees
Professionals fees are eligible if directly linked to funding eligible works as follows:
- architect, surveyor, structural engineer and agent fees
- statutory consent fees, such as for planning permission, advertisement consent, listed building consent and building warrant fees - please note that fees are only funding eligible where these are linked to works, fees are not an eligible cost in isolation
Contingency and VAT
VAT will only be a funding eligible cost in cases where the applicant is not VAT registered.
Further information regarding shop fronts can be found at Historic Environment Scotland: Scottish Traditional Shop Fronts.