On 24 March 2026, West Northamptonshire Council launched a new scheme offering independent shops in Brackley, Northamptonshire, grants of up to £10,000 to fix up their buildings. The money is meant to help local businesses attract more shoppers and improve the look of the town centre and high street.
To get the money, business owners must pay for half of the project themselves, as the grant covers 50 per cent of the total cost. The funding comes from the Brackley Town Fund, which is filled by Section 106 developer contributions, which are legal payments made by building companies to help support local facilities.
Local shops can use the cash for things like new shop fronts, decorating the inside of their premises, or making their buildings easier for people with disabilities to enter. The grant can also pay for new equipment or to help a shop start selling new types of products, though franchise businesses are not allowed to apply.
Eligible businesses must have fewer than 50 employees and a shop front located within the designated town centre area. Applications for the first round of funding close at 3pm on 30 April 2026, with a panel from the council and Brackley Town Council meeting every three months to decide who receives the money.
According to Cllr James Petter, the scheme is an investment in the future of the local economy. The council will pay out the grant money after the work has been finished and the business provides the final invoices for the project.
