Three new grants are to be opened up for Spalding businesses to apply for to either relocate to empty units, open up vacant space or refresh shop fronts.
The Spalding Neighbourhood Board says it is allocating £625,000 of the £20m its being given over 10 years for the project in conjunction with South Holland District Council.
The grants are titled Relocate, Revitalise and Refresh.
It says Relocate is for ‘funding and support that will be made available to attract retail, leisure and commercial businesses to relocate to vacant units in Spalding’.
Revitalise is for ‘supporting the conversion to accommodation of vacant upper floors or empty buildings in the Town Centre to additional housing or serviced accommodation, and reconfiguring existing retail units to offer space to meet different business needs’.
Finally Refresh will be delivered alongside the Spalding Business Improvement District (BID) and is ‘aimed for shop display improvements that will help to improve the appearance and attractiveness of business’ retail offer’.
“The objective is to support businesses to attract greater footfall and custom.,” a spokesman for the Spalding Neighbourhood Board said.
They say the new grants have been created after a consultation carried out in 2024 and 2025 and UKSPF funded study of the town centre.
“All the different aspects of support will have a significant impact, reducing the level of empty retail units, improving the appeal of the town centre, creating new jobs, and increasing footfall and spending in the town. Ultimately, the programme will help Spalding town centre to thrive,” a spokesman said. “The Scheme will launch for applications from businesses in late September 2026, with details of how to apply released at that point.”
Robin Hancox, chair, Spalding Neighbourhood Board said: “Local people have told us clearly that they want a better town centre experience and this programme has been designed to fulfil this ambition.
“Through a targeted approach, the plans will meet a number of the community priorities and will support an appealing town centre that offers more uses and reasons to visit.
“This investment, alongside the other Pride in Place projects recently confirmed, will make a huge difference to Spalding in the coming months and years.”
Coun Nick Worth, Leader, South Holland District Council said: “Residents and businesses alike have identified improving the level of occupancy in Spalding as a major priority.
“We are hopeful that this ambitious scheme will meet these expectations directly by
delivering lasting results.”
