UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) 2025 to 2026 Grants
Shop Front Improvement Grants
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for landlords and businesses in Cumberland as part of a new Shop Front Improvement Grants scheme funded through UKSPF.
A Shop Front Improvement Grant provides financial support to landlords and businesses requiring funding assistance to improve the frontages of commercial properties in Cumberland’s main towns and Carlisle. Grants of 50% of the costs (max £5,000) can be applied for.
Eligible areas within the town or city centre boundaries of:
- Aspatria
- Brampton
- Carlisle
- Cleator Moor
- Cockermouth
- Dalston
- Egremont
- Keswick
- Longtown
- Maryport
- Millom
- Silloth
- Whitehaven
- Wigton
- Workington.
This is a discretionary grant for businesses that can demonstrate that they contribute to the vitality of the high street and it is a limited fund.
How to apply
Read the guidance and terms and conditions before applying:
Completed forms and supporting documentation should be emailed to highstreetgrants@cumberland.gov.uk.
Closing date for applications: 1 August 2025.
All works must be complete by 31 December 2025.
Links to maps showing the boundaries
The maps may not be accessible for people using assisted technology.
Local Business Grants and support
Working with the Cumbria Business Growth Hub, both business advice and grant funding for small/micro and medium sized businesses are being made available through UKSPF.
Capital grants are available for:
- Equipment/improvements to productivity
- Works to improve business premises
- Improvements to tourism heritage assets
- Support for farm diversification projects
Vouchers to secure specialist consultants of your choice are being made available alongside one-to-one support from the business adviser team aimed at business survival and a programme of workshops.
Details on grant funding, advice and events funded by UKSPF and offered through Cumbria Business Growth Hub can be found at Cumbria Growth Hub.
Enterprising Cumbria are also able to offer support across Cumberland including:
- Free tailored business support for start-ups and existing businesses
- Intensive one to one innovation support to help businesses with real growth potential
- Pre-Start activity to assist individuals looking at starting their own business.
For details of UKSPF funded support offered by Enterprising Cumbria please contact lucy.johnson@enterprisingcumbria.org.uk or visit Enterprising Cumbria website