Timperley's Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed the inclusion of their village in Trafford Council's expanded shop improvement grant scheme - but argue that many local businesses are still being left out due to strict boundary limitations.
The Government-funded Trafford Town Centre Shop Improvement Grant Scheme, which offers up to £10,000 in match-funding to eligible businesses, has recently been extended to include Timperley and Hale alongside Altrincham, Sale, Stretford, Urmston and Sale Moor.
Councillor Julian Newgrosh said he had pushed for the expansion and was "delighted" that the scheme now included Timperley.
However, both Cllr Newgrosh and fellow Lib Dem Councillor Will Frass have raised concerns about the restricted eligibility area, which is limited to a tight zone around the crossroads in the middle of Timperley village - an area that includes several larger national chain stores.
"The map doesn't even include our local chippy!" Cllr Newgrosh said.
Cllr Frass added: "I really want to see as much of the funding as possible go to small independent businesses - they should be the focus of this scheme. There are many independently-run shops outside the village itself, who would really benefit from support like this."
The councillors have requested that Trafford Council review the criteria to potentially extend the scheme to include shops beyond Timperley's central area.
Despite these concerns, the councillors have been actively promoting the scheme to local businesses since its launch, reporting enthusiastic initial feedback from shopkeepers in the eligible area, with several expressing interest in applying.
The scheme, which has £220,000 available from Greater Manchester Combined Authority, allows businesses to apply for grants on the condition they match the funding from their own resources. The money can be used for improvements to make premises more accessible to people with disabilities and other enhancements.
Already, the initiative has helped 41 businesses across Trafford create 28 new full-time equivalent jobs, improving over 2,200 square meters of commercial floorspace and saving 45,000kg of carbon.
Businesses interested in applying should do so as soon as possible, as the deadline is 30 June 2025, or when all funding is awarded. For more information, contact business@trafford.gov.uk.
