Independent Retailer Grant

Test Valley Borough Council is committed to encouraging the strength and vitality of its local economy. 

Prosperity is one of Test Valley Borough Council’s corporate priorities. The Council is delivering projects to regenerate Andover and Romsey town centres and striving to create a conducive environment for new and established businesses. 

As part of the Council's strategy, an Independent Retailer Grant of £1,200 is available to encourage independently-owned retailers to take up vacant premises in Andover or Romsey town centres. The money is paid in two instalments to the business bank account, after the Council is satisfied that the business has been trading for a minimum of 3 months and 9 months in its town centre location. 

 

Who qualifies? 

  • New or existing businesses moving into ground floor premises which have been vacant for at least one month in the Primary Shopping Areas of Andover or Romsey.1 

  • Use Classes E(a) (Shops), E(b) (Restaurants and Cafés), and E(e) (Provision of medical or health services (except the use of premises attached to the residence of the consultant or practitioner)), and F2(a) (Community shops). 

  • Sui Generis Tattoo Parlours, Beauticians, Massage Parlours and Nail Bars 

 

Any other rules?  

  • You should apply for the grant BEFORE you move into your town centre premises. 

  • Any planning/building control/licence or other necessary consent must be obtained. If you are unsure about requirements, please contact the duty planning officer via Do I need Planning Permission? | Test Valley Borough Council, the building control department via buildingcontrol@testvalley.gov.uk or check licensing requirements via Licensing & Regulation | Test Valley Borough Council. 

  • Only one TVBC grant per business will be paid.  

  • Only one TVBC business grant per applicant will be paid in any 5-year period (Skills grants may be payable2). 

  • The first instalment of the grant will only be paid after the business has been trading for at least 3 months in its town centre location; this will be increased to a minimum of 6 months where the business is on a reduced rent agreement.  

  • The second instalment of the grant will only be paid after the business has been trading for at least 9 months in its town centre location; this will be increased to a minimum of 12 months where the business is on a reduced rent agreement.  

  • You need to contact the Council when the payments are due to provide evidence of trading and request a Council visit. 

  • A Test Valley Borough Councillor will visit you and have their photograph taken with you when the first grant is paid. This will be publicised by TVBC via a press release and may be used in other promotional material. 

  • You must display a window sticker confirming funding by TVBC after you have received your first grant payment and for a period of a minimum of 1 year. 

 
The grant does not apply to: 

  • Nationally-owned multiple chains 

  • Remaining Class E uses3 and Sui Generis uses (with the exception of Tattoo Parlours, Beauticians, Massage Parlours and Nail Bars) 

  • Charity shops 

  • Businesses already in receipt of the Business Incentive Grant. 

 

Process 

  • Decisions on awarding the grant are made by an Economic Development Officer in consultation with the Head of Finance and Revenues and the Finances and Resources Portfolio holder. 

  • Normally you will receive a decision from the Council about the award of a grant within 20 working days of the first visit.  

  • Successful applicants will receive three visits from the Council: the first to establish your eligibility, the second after a minimum of 3 months of trading, and the third after a minimum of 9 months of trading, subject to the condition below. 

  • The grant payments will be delayed if the business opens on a reduced rent agreement; in these circumstances the payments will not be made until the business has been successfully trading for a minimum of 6 months and 1 year. 

  • Prior to the second and third Council visits, you will be asked for documentary evidence that the business is still trading, e.g. accounting records, invoices, receipts, business bank statements. 

  • Payments are staged: £600 is paid after 3 (or 6) months of trading and £600 after 9 (or 12) months subject to the applicant providing evidence of trading and a visit by an Economic Development Officer. 

  • Second visits must take place within one year of the initial visit unless a delay is specifically agreed.  

  • Following the approval of the initial £600 grant payment, you will be contacted by a Test Valley Borough Councillor to arrange a visit or meeting.  

 

When will I get the money? 

Payments are staged: £600 will be paid to your business bank account after 3 months of trading and £600 after 9 months subject to satisfactory evidence of trading and visits by the Economic Development Officer. If the business opened on a reduced rent agreement, the payments will be paid after 6 months and 1 year of trading. 

 

How do I apply? 

Please see the link on this page for an application form. 

For further information, please contact: 

Jackie Hewson, Economic Development Officer 
e-mail: econdev@testvalley.gov.uk 

Tel: 01264 368219 

 

Annex 1 

Terms and Conditions of an Independent Retailer Grant 

  • The business must be new to Andover or Romsey town centre. 

  • The business must be independently owned. 

  • The premises must have been vacant for a minimum of one calendar month; with no lease or licence in place.  

  • The date of the application must precede the date that the business starts trading at its town centre location. 

  • The business must be in Use Class E(a) (Shops), E(b) (Restaurants and Cafés), E(e) (Provision of medical or health services (except the use of premises attached to the residence of the consultant or practitioner)), or Class F2(a) (Community shop) or be a Sui Generis tattoo parlour, beautician, massage parlour or nail bar. 

  • Any planning/building control/licence or other necessary consent must be obtained. 

  • Grants will only be paid to business bank accounts. 

  • Only one TVBC grant per business will be paid (workers may still qualify for skills grants).  

  • Only one TVBC business grant per applicant will be paid in any 5-year period (Skills grants may be payable). 

  • The first instalment of the grant will only be paid after the business has been operating in its town centre location for at least 3 months.  

  • The second instalment will be made after a minimum of 9 months of trading. 

  • The grant payments will be delayed if the business opens on a reduced rent agreement; in these circumstances the payments will not be made until the business has been successfully trading for a minimum of 6 months and 1 year. 

  • The applicant must contact the Council when the payments are due to arrange a Council visit and provide evidence of trading. 

  • If no contact has been made a year after grant approval, the grant offer will be withdrawn unless a delay has been agreed. 

  • Evidence of trading is required prior to payment of each grant instalment. 

  • The successful applicant must agree to meet with a Councillor or their representative when the first instalment of the grant is paid, and have a photograph taken for use in a press release and other promotional material by TVBC. 

  • A window sticker confirming funding by TVBC, must be displayed for a period of a minimum of 1 year after the first instalment of the grant has been paid. 

  • No activity which may be construed as radicalising or encouraging people into terrorism will be permitted to receive any grant. Should any allegation be received, or if the Council has reason to suspect noncompliance, the Council will investigate and may decide to cancel, modify or withdraw any offer or grant made to ensure compliance with the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. 

  • Businesses are not eligible for an IRG if receipt of the requested grant from the Council will exceed the Minimum Financial Assistance (MFA) threshold for the business as specified in section 36(1) of the Subsidy Control Act (2022). The total amount of 'Minimum Financial Assistance' (MFA) received over a rolling period of three fiscal years should not exceed £315,000 per business at company group level (including the grant you are applying for). 

  • If awarded with an IRG, the business will be required to declare this funding in future applications for public funding over the following three fiscal years. 

 

Data Protection 

The Council is required by law to protect the public funds it administers and may share information provided in order to prevent or detect fraud. 

Any personal data you supply on this application form will be used for purposes in connection with the grant scheme and to provide information or advice to support your business including the TVBC newsletter; it will not be transferred outside of the European Economic Area. Should you decide you do not wish to receive the TVBC newsletter, you can unsubscribe by clicking the unsubscribe option at the bottom of the newsletter. Further information on the Council’s TVBC data protection policy can be found at GDPR - General Data Protection Regulation | Test Valley Borough Council