Delivery: April 2026 – March 2027.
Grant Guidance Policy and Information
Notes for Business Applicants.
Grants of up to £15,000.
Introduction
The Pride in Place Programme is Government’s flagship communities programme which empowers local people to shape the future of their neighbourhood. Supported by up to £5 billion in funding over 10 years, this programme represents a long-term strategy to fix the foundations in hundreds of communities across the country. As part of this funding, Worksop has been allocated 20 million over the next 10 years. The Worksop Together Board’s objectives include creating a vibrant town centre and high street where increased occupancy of retail units and increased town centre footfall is evident. This grant will enable empty buildings to be brought back into use and an allocation of £120,000 capital funding in total for all Business Support Grant Programmes for the financial year 2026-2027 is now available for business support.
These guidance notes have been compiled to give you details to make an informed decision about whether this grant is right for you and your business and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria before you complete an application form.
Bassetlaw is the northernmost District in Nottinghamshire; its boundaries adjoins Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire. The city of Sheffield is approximately 25 km to the west, Nottingham is approximately 45 km to the south, and both the A1 and the East Coast Mainline railway run on a north-south axis through the centre of the District. The District is characterised by a range of settlements, from large towns to small hamlets, with a total population of 118,300 people (ONS) of which 59.7% are of working age. Nearly 65% of Bassetlaw’s residents live in its three largest towns, Worksop, Retford, and Harworth & Bircotes. The district is home to over 4000 business 89% of which are micro businesses and 99.8% being within the SME definition.
Worksop, known as the “Gateway to the Dukeries”, has a rich heritage dating back to pre-Norman times, recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). Its medieval roots include the founding of Worksop Priory and the development of a thriving market town under a Royal Charter (1296). The town’s proximity to Sherwood Forest and the historic Dukeries estates shaped its cultural identity. Today residents and visitors can enjoy easy access to Clumber Park, Sherwood Forest, Welbeck, Rufford and Thoresby.
Worksop was originally a small market town known mainly for agriculture and related services. In the late 18th century, it was famous for being one of the biggest producers of liquorice along with hat making (16 hatmakers still in Beaver Place in 1841), and also for the manufacture of Windsor Chairs.
The Industrial Revolution transformed Worksop into a centre for coal mining, timber, and manufacturing, supported by the Chesterfield Canal (1777) and railway links (1849). This industrial legacy fostered strong communities and resilience, which remain central to Worksop’s character today.
Today, Worksop is a historic market town with a population of approximately 44,700 (2021 Census), making it the largest settlement in the Bassetlaw district. Worksop combines traditional market town character with modern amenities.
Worksop has successfully transitioned from its industrial base to a modern economy driven by logistics, advanced manufacturing, and food production, leveraging its strategic location near the A1(M) and M1 corridors.
The local economy in Worksop is now dominated by service industries, manufacturing and distribution. Major employers in the area include Laing O’Rourke, Premier Foods, Greencore, B&Q, Cerealto, DHL, Pandrol, MBA Polymer, Brunton Shaw, Kybotech, and the NHS (Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Trust and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust). Local income levels are well below national and regional averages.
What is the High Street Fit Out Grant?
Through Pride in Place, the Worksop Together Board has allocated capital grant funding to support new businesses to fit out premises on the high streets and within the town centre in Worksop from April 2026 until March 2027 in the form of a grant. The Worksop Together Board want to reduce the amount of vacant properties within our town centres and diversify the shopping and eating out offer; this grant will give businesses and community organisations the opportunity to achieve those goals. A maximum of £15,000 is available to successful applicants (as per table below). Adviser support through the Council is available to assist you with completing the application.
| Length of lease or rental agreement | Amount of Maximum Grant |
|---|---|
| 12-24 months (no breaks) | £5,000 |
| 24-35 months (no breaks) | £10,000 |
| 3 years+ (no breaks in first 3 years) | £15,000 |
Please note that if you are applying for a grant over £10,000, three (3) quotes will be required as part of your application i.e. for one item. If there are multiple items making up the £10,000 then this will not apply.
The grant will be administered on a first come, first served basis and a panel will decide whether the applicant is awarded. We will aim to inform you of the outcome of your application within three weeks of the submission date. The decision of the panel is final and there is no appeals process.
This grant can be used to fund structural works to a property and/or equipment your business needs to provide services and trade from the property (Capital Expenditure).
Organisations securing leases for long-term use of 12 months or longer can request funding for both structural works and/or capital equipment.
Applicants must be able to explain how each item of works or equipment they are requesting supports their organisation to trade and provide services. Equipment can be either new or second hand/refurbished (in the case of all works/equipment purchased, evidence will be required to be submitted to evidence spend).
Applicants must confirm whether any of the works they are requesting funding for require planning permission or Listed Building Consent. If they do, we will need to see proof that permission has been sought and we will not make any payments until we receive proof permission has been granted.
You must not start any works or purchase any requested equipment until you have received and signed your Grant Offer Letter. We are not able to pay for works already started or equipment already purchased before our grant offer is confirmed.
The council, as a public authority, is subject to the UK State Subsidy scheme (£315,000), which applies limits on the level of funding a recipient can receive. When completing the grant application form, applicants will be asked to list the sources and amounts of funding they have received from any other grant sources.
Please note that we cannot cover the VAT element and therefore we can only cover net costs.
Please read below before proceeding with the application process:-
- You must be a business taking on a vacant unit on the high street.
- The premise you are looking to fit out is situated within the town centre.
- Please note this only applies to ground floor units with a frontage on to the high street i.e. not first floor
- Your business must have been registered i.e. as a limited company, charity, social enterprise or as self-employed via HMRC i.e. a sole trader.
- A maximum of £15,000 can be awarded.
- The business owner is not required to provide match funding but if the value of the activities outlined, exceed the value of the grant award (maximum £15,000), the business owner will need to fund the difference.
- A lease has been signed by the landlord and tenant.
- All required permissions have been granted.
Do I require planning permission or Listed Building Consent?
Planning permission is required for works that involve a material change to the external appearance of a building. Examples of this are alterations to the fascia, the windows or the doorway, changes to the type of material used or the installation of awnings, blinds or security shutters.
Advertisement consent is required for the display of certain types of signs. You may also require planning permission for change of use to the property.
If your building is in a conservation area or the building is listed, you may need further permissions. Please ensure you have checked this with our planning dept (details below).
If you are unsure whether your works require planning permission, you should seek further guidance on planning implications. Please see the contact details below if you’d like to speak
to the relevant team within the council for further advice:
Email – planning@bassetlaw.gov.uk
Telephone – 01909 533533
Website - https://www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-services/
Am I eligible to apply for a grant?
- This grant is available to businesses relocating to Worksop town centre.
- This grant is available to existing businesses expanding into an additional property within Worksop town centre, provided they are introducing a new offer to the retail/hospitality mix and occupying a vacant unit.
- Existing Worksop businesses wishing to relocate within the town centre will be assessed based on the strength of their offer, the additional jobs proposed, and any increase in the floorspace they will occupy.
- Business owners must be able to provide a unique business identifier in the form of a Companies House Registration Number, VAT Registration Number or Unique Tax Reference Number to support their application.
- You are not eligible to apply: if your business is already trading, in administration, insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made, or the business has exceeded the permitted subsidy allowance.
- Internal checks will be carried out to determine if there is any outstanding debt to Bassetlaw District Council. If there is deemed to be any, then this needs to be brought back into credit before any application is progressed.
- Grant recipients will need to evidence that the grant will be spent in full by the 31st March 2027.
- Applications will be considered first more favourably from the following under-represented sectors i.e. footwear/clothing, personal goods i.e. and food/beverages on premises.
- Applications will be considered from community groups, social enterprises or charities wishing to bring an attractive offer to the high street to support social inclusion.
The following types of businesses are excluded:
Some types of organisations will not be eligible to receive funding, including:
Any organisation subject to a franchise agreement that gives control over business decisions to a franchisor, betting shops, pawn brokers, amusement or gaming arcades, tobacconists, vape shops, shisha bars, shops or venues wholly or mainly offering material of an adult or sexual nature, businesses or activities for political purposes or gain, for activities promoting religious beliefs or to proscribed organisations or organisations that support radicalisation or terrorism. This is not an exhaustive list. We retain the right to add to it at any time.
Any employee of Bassetlaw District Council.
How do I apply?
Applicants will need to submit:
- An electronic application form (word/PDF format only). The application form needs to be completed in full, signed and documents requested must be uploaded to support your application.
- The amount of grant you are requesting up to the value of £15,000 and what it will contribute towards.
- A recent copy of a bank statement (covering a period within the last 3-months) to verify the bank account details and to evidence financial standing.
- Independent verification of bank details (preferably verbally) from a trusted source when it’s a large amount i.e. above £10k
- A recent copy of your accounts (if applicable).
- Copies of all relevant permissions for the works/equipment installation where relevant.
- If you are a pre-start or start up business, a business plan will need to be submitted to support the viability of the business (if you have been in operation for less than 6 months).
- You will also be required to illustrate you can provide the following as part of the application form:
3.6 Please indicate and attach to your application the most appropriate one of the following to demonstrate your organisation's financial standing.
- A copy of audited accounts for the last two years
- A statement of the turnover, Profit and Loss Account / Income Statement, Balance Sheet / Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Cash Flow for the most recent year of trading for this organisation.
- A statement of the cash flow forecast for the current year and a bank letter outlining the current cash and credit position.
- Alternative means of demonstrating financial status if any of the above are not available (e.g. forecast of turnover for the current year and a statement of funding provided by the owners and/or the bank, charity accruals accounts or an alternative means of demonstrating financial status).
4. Policies and Liability insurance (max score 3)
| 4.1 Please confirm your organisation has the following* | Yes | No | Under Development | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A written health and safety policy | - | - | - | - |
| A written Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement | - | - | - | - |
| Public and Employer Liability Insurance to a minimum of £10,000,000 and Professional Indemnity insurance to a minimum of £5,000,000 | - | - | - | - |
*If your application is successful, evidence of policies and insurance will need to be provided prior to being awarded the funding.
Applications must be submitted by the business owner; applications submitted on the business owner’s behalf will not be accepted.
What can I use the grant for? (This is not an exhaustive list but provides examples of what could be funded):
- Stud partition walls / flooring /suspended ceilings/doors/windows/stairs
- Full decoration/plastering
- Display cases/shelves/units/counters/racking/moveable partitions/mannequins/shoe blocks/book stands/display baskets etc
- Tills/EPOS systems/scanners/card machines
- Heating / Cooling Systems/Ventilation/Extraction
- Electrical works/lighting (including dropped lighting)/ alarm systems/CCTV, access control systems/shutters
- Plumbing work / alterations
- Signage/permanent window decals
- Accessibility improvements (ramps/widening of doors/grab rails etc)
- Kitchen equipment/Fixtures (ovens/refrigeration/grills/microwaves/commercial coffee machines)
- Furniture/seating
- New equipment specific to your business/industry that is integral to your business providing services. (Examples include crockery for restaurants, hairdryers for salons.
The grant cannot be used for the following:
- Stock
- Rental or lease deposit or costs
- Business rates
- Staffing costs
- Insurance costs
- Cleaning products
- Computers, phones, tablets, etc
- Promotional and marketing materials or activities
- New equipment that is not integral to your business providing services at the property (such as day-to-day consumables, vacuum cleaners, staff room equipment)
- Costs that are to meet a legal requirement will not be covered
If you are unsure if your requested works or equipment are eligible, please email
worksop.together@bassetlaw.gov.uk
You may be liable to financial clawback from the Board if money is spent on ineligible costs.
When is the grant paid?
- 50% will be paid when we receive a signed agreement of our grant offer and all permissions have been granted (if applicable). A further payment will be paid on completion of works.
- Grant payment will be made directly into the applicant’s business bank account via BACS.
Funding is available on a first come, first served basis. The programme will continue to run whilst funds remain available. The closing date for final applications to be made is 31st January 2027.
Other important information
Any grant income your business receives is taxable. You must include the grant award as income on your tax return. You’ll only pay tax if your business makes an overall profit once grant income is included.
You will have until the 31st March 2027 to supply evidence of the grant being spent in the form of invoices/receipts. Failure to do so will result in the grant being paid back in full.
Before and after photo evidence will need to be submitted as part of our monitoring requirements and the applicant will be subject to regular monitoring meetings to ensure we are working within the required deadlines.
For further information please contact us via email at: worksop.together@bassetlaw.gov.uk
Last Updated on Tuesday, May 5, 2026