Newquay businesses awarded Shopfront Grants to transform town centre

Seventeen small and independent businesses in Newquay town centre have been awarded funding to help create a more vibrant and attractive town centre.

The businesses who will receive the grants include a variety of restaurants, cafes and retail premises such as Paulines, The Good Lyfe, Pachanga, Café Cloud & Kook.

Experience Newquay, in collaboration with Newquay Business Improvement District (BID), have announced that businesses will receive grants ranging up to £1,000 to support a range of improvements - including repainting and repairing façades, installing new signage and adding greenery and creative design features to shopfronts.

The funding - which builds on the success of a similar initiative in 2024 and is the latest round of the Shopfront Grant scheme - is part of a wider plan to continue to enhance the town’s visual appeal and economic vitality.

Mark Warren, Newquay BID Manager, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to work with Experience Newquay to secure funding that’s gone directly into improving our local businesses’ shop fronts. This funding has made a real difference - it’s given many businesses, who might not otherwise have the cash flow, the chance to invest in their premises with some support and match funding from us.”

He added: “The results have been fantastic, with businesses sprucing up their frontages and giving Newquay a fresher, more vibrant look. This project has really kick-started positive change around the town, and we’re already exploring how we can build on this success with future BID-led funding to continue improving the appearance of our town centre.”

The Shopfront Grant scheme is a key part of Experience Newquay’s ongoing efforts to support local businesses and foster a thriving, attractive town centre. The grant is one of several initiatives led by Cornwall Council’s Experience project.

Cllr Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Investment, said: “Through the Good Growth Programme, we’re investing in the future of our towns and supporting the businesses that make them unique. It’s great to see the Shopfront Grant scheme in Newquay, delivered through the Experience Project, helping small and independent businesses refresh their premises and create a more vibrant town centre. It’s a great example of how targeted funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is delivering visible change for residents, visitors, and the local economy.”The Experience project is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cornwall Council is responsible for managing projects funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme.

The Experience project focuses on boosting tourism and economic growth, particularly during the off-season (October to March). The project aims to attract visitors during the quieter months, reducing seasonality in the tourism industry. It encourages visitors to connect with Cornwall's culture, history, and natural environment through unique activities and itineraries. 

Projects have included Experience Newquay, Experience Bodmin, and Experience Marazion & Penzance, each aiming to enhance the visitor experience and support local businesses.