Small one-off revenue and capital grants will be awarded to shops in rural areas, which can demonstrate sustainable economic community benefits.

The Suffolk Rural Economy Scheme will pay for an advisor, who specialises in retail to visit and provide advice to the proprietor, and help guide them through the application process.  The scheme will provide grants up to 50% of the project costs, to a maximum of £5,000. 

The aim is to assist:

• Private rural shops, which are based in the community they serve, are viable, an asset to the community and the only business of that type in the settlement
• Social enterprises, charities, voluntary and community groups which run, or are creating, an economically viable community shop for the benefit of their rural community
• Rural Public Houses in Suffolk which are considering diversifying their business to include a grocery/newsagent shop in order to serve their local community

Shops with a turnover of £7,500 per week or less may apply for grants to improve premises or to expand their business.

These grants can also be applied for alongside “Raid Control” grants from Suffolk Constabulary to improve security and staff training.

For more information, and to receive an application form, please contact Dawn Turpin, Economic Development Project Officer at Suffolk County Council on 01473 264817 or email  dawn.turpin@suffolk.gov.uk