Up to £10,000 available to help transform Maidstone town centre shopfronts

Independent businesses in Maidstone have the chance to secure thousands of pounds to give their shopfronts a fresh new look, as a new round of funding opens to traders and commercial landlords.

Maidstone Borough Council has relaunched its Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme, offering grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 to support projects that improve the appearance of premises across the town centre. The grants can cover up to 80% of eligible project costs, helping reduce the financial burden on businesses looking to invest in their properties.

The scheme is open to a wide range of businesses, including independent shops, cafés, restaurants and service providers located within the designated town centre area.

The aim is not only to modernise individual premises but also to make the town centre more attractive to residents and visitors, encouraging people to spend more time shopping, eating and supporting local businesses.

Particular attention will be given to buildings within Maidstone's historic conservation areas, where improvements that preserve or restore traditional features can help maintain the character of some of the town's best-known streets. However, businesses outside these areas have also benefited from previous rounds of funding.

Projects that may qualify include restoring original architectural details, replacing tired shopfronts, improving windows and doors, installing more sympathetic signage or upgrading external lighting.

The latest funding follows an earlier round that helped several local businesses improve the appearance of their premises, with the council hoping the programme will continue to strengthen the town centre at a time when many high streets are adapting to changing shopping habits.

Applications are open now and will close on 24 August 2026, with successful projects expected to be selected later this year.

More information, including eligibility criteria and application details, is available on the original announcement from Maidstone Borough Council.