With Ramsey now having an extended conservation area, local traders are being offered an incentive to spruce up their shop fronts or signage.

Huntingdonshire District Council has launched a grant scheme as part of the drive to enhance the town as identified in the Ramsey action plan. Grants will be available to shopkeepers for the re-painting, repair, or suitable replacement of existing shop fronts or signage, as long as proposals will bring an enhancement to the Conservation Area.

The scheme was launched before Christmas and already a number of premises have shown interest.

Councillor Nick Guyatt, executive councillor for planning strategy said: “We have a great opportunity to make significant improvements to the appearance of the town centre.”

“We have just extended the conservation area boundary in Ramsey and this grant scheme reinforces our commitment to enhancement of the town centre.”

The grant is available for a range of projects and the scheme will run until March 2007. Traders who wish to discuss ideas and learn more about grant availability should contact Jonathan Duck, Planning Services, on 01480 388444.