Shauni Houghton, owner of ‘Little Miss Candyfloss’, a new children’s clothing boutique at 3 St Andrews Road South in St Anne’s, is one of the happy beneficiaries of the most recent round of grants from the ARG Vacant Premises Fund, receiving an amount of £3,572.00.

Speaking with Fylde Council on the presentation of the cheque, Shauni said, ‘I’ve always wanted to operate a little clothing boutique, and I saw the niche for a children’s clothing store in Lytham St Anne’s. I’m thankful for the grant from the ARG Vacant Premises Fund, as it really helped to make the dream happen!’

A total of over £46,000 has been received by new local businesses from the latest round of Fylde Council’s ARG Vacant Premises Grant to help them get off the ground in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant scheme, designed to help new businesses get started in the town centres of St Anne’s, Lytham and Kirkham, has allowed small independent sole traders or locally based chains moving or expanding into a vacant premises to claim for up to 50% of the setup, shop fitting, refit and branding costs, to a maximum of £10,000.

Many businesses in Fylde and beyond have faced unprecedent challenges over the past two years, with in-person businesses having to work with the trading restrictions and additional expenses brought by following COVID-19 measures to keep their customers safe.

Cllr Karen Buckley, the Leader of Fylde Council, said: ‘These grant payments represent one part of Fylde Council’s commitment to supporting the recovery of our local economy after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a delight to see these new in-person businesses spring to life, and we will continue to do all we can to support our vital town centres and historic high streets.’