A new business on Deal High Street has been given a welcome boost - with news that a previously empty shop has reopened in the town following support from regeneration schemes from Dover District Council and Kent County Council.
The new shop, Barkened, is a lifestyle shop that designs and handcrafts their own goods and supports other independent makers, selling products that are focused around people, dogs and homes.
Barkened received a £10,000 grant from Dover District Council’s Town Centre Business Grant Scheme, and an interest free loan from Kent County Council’s No Use Empty Scheme.
The funding has helped owners to carry out a complete renovation and restoration of a beautiful heritage building in the conservation area of Deal, ensuring it stands for many years to come, retaining its character as a shop with living accommodation.
DDC’s grant scheme offers grants of up to £10,000 to bring commercial properties back into use, or up to £1,000 to upgrade or improve the appearance of commercial properties in designated town centre areas in Dover, Deal and Sandwich.
KCC’s No Use Empty scheme provides property owners with interest-free loans of up to £25,000 per unit to bring empty properties back into use. It has supported a range of renovations and restorations in Dover District and around Kent.
Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with KCC to support regeneration, and to help get this empty property reopened on Deal High Street. We are very pleased to be able provide our latest Town Centre Business Grant to help support local business.”
Mike Whiting, Kent County Council, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “The diversity of projects in which No Use Empty is involved shows what can be done with a recycling loan fund, not only in Dover but Countywide with total investment in the region surpassing £60m.”
For more information, please see the Town Centre Business Grant pages, or the KCC’s No Use Empty website.
Posted on 24 January 2020