Shopfront Grant Scheme

Who can apply?

The Heritage Shopfront Grant Scheme is open to eligible:

• Freehold property owners
• Leaseholders with written landlord consent
• Independent businesses
• Social enterprises and community-run businesses

The property must:

• Be within the defined Lichfield City Centre Conservation Area
• Have a public-facing shopfront
• Be occupied or have a clear and realistic plan for future occupation
• Have the necessary authority to undertake the proposed work
• National chains will not normally be eligible, although locally operated franchises may be considered in heritage-sensitive cases.
• Residential properties and businesses selling illegal goods or operating outside the terms of their licence are not eligible.

View the Lichfield City Centre Conservation Area boundary

What can be funded?

The scheme supports heritage-led improvements that enhance the appearance, condition or accessibility of a shopfront. These could include:

• Restoring traditional shopfronts and historic architectural features
• Replacing inappropriate modern additions with suitable traditional materials
• Improving signage, lighting and external decoration
• Repairing shopfront timber, stonework and brick detailing
• Improving entrances and accessibility while preserving the building’s character
• Professional design fees directly related to an approved project, where agreed in writing in advance

All proposed work must align with the Lichfield City Centre Shopfront Design Code and any relevant conservation guidance.

What cannot be funded?

The grant cannot be used for:

• Work that has already started, been completed or committed to before written approval
• Internal alterations, fixtures or equipment
• Routine maintenance or temporary work
• Day-to-day business costs such as staffing, rent or utilities
• Inappropriate materials or work that does not support the aims of the scheme
• Recoverable VAT, planning fees or statutory consent costs

Full details are available in the Applicant Guidance. The council will make the final decision where it is unclear whether a cost is eligible.

Planning and heritage requirements

Lichfield city centre is a designated conservation area and many of its buildings are historically significant.

Depending on the proposed work, you may need:

• Planning permission
• Listed building consent
• Advertisement consent
• Landlord consent
• Other statutory or regulatory approvals

A grant offer does not replace or guarantee any planning or statutory consent. Applicants are encouraged to consider these requirements at an early stage.

Before developing your proposal, please review:

Lichfield City Centre Shopfront Design Code

Check whether a building is listed

Some projects may require support from a suitably qualified architect, surveyor, planning consultant or heritage professional.