TIME is running out to apply for grants to help High Street shops.

The High Street grant scheme aims to improve the look and feel of High Street shop fronts.

The scheme is through Braintree Council, who will commission and pay up to £1000 for a tradesperson to work on improving the external appearance of their shop.

Residents can apply for one of more improvement packages.

The packages include up to two hours, four hours, or five days of labour.

The amount of work that is done will depend on the time that is spent on, with the easiest being a simple deep clean, up to painting, decorating and other renovation.

There will be a minimum of thirty businesses supported in the towns and surrounding areas of Halstead, Braintree, and Witham.

The businesses that are eligible to apply are small and medium businesses, independent businesses, or owners of vacant units.

To apply, email economicd@braintree.gov.uk for an application form, to then fill out, and send back to the same email.

Applications must be completed and returned before 5pm Monday 17 January 2022.

The scheme will be closed once all the funding has been allocated.

For more information, visit bit.ly/3qghtYz.