The £400,000 Vibrant High Streets grants programme 2026/27 is aimed at supporting small and independent retailers and businesses in the city centre, Bilston, Wednesfield and other high streets.
It is designed to help them improve the visual appearance, safety and customer service experience at their premises to boost local spend and economic benefit.
It also builds on the significant multi-million-pound investment being made in the regeneration of Wolverhampton’s urban centres such as £19million city centre public realm improvements on Lichfield Street, Queen Square and Darlington Street; more than £8million in the redevelopment of Bilston Market; and £3.3million to improve Wednesfield High Street.
The window for grant applications will open on Friday, March 6.
Businesses can apply for a maximum of £5,000 across one or more of the following three categories: Frontage improvements, interior and external refurbishments, and digital, marketing and security. Businesses must also evidence match funding of 20% of the total cost of their project.
The grants scheme is backed by Government Pride in Place Impact Funding.
Full details of grant eligibility criteria and the application process will be available when the scheme webpage www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/business/employersupport/vibrant-high-street-grants goes live on March 6.
Grant applications will be considered as they are received, with the call for applications closing once all funds are awarded.
Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “The aim of this grant scheme is to build on the major investment currently being delivered across our urban centres.
“This further support for our ‘High Street’ retailers and businesses gives them the opportunity to secure funding that will enable them to thrive and boost the local economy.
“We anticipate demand will be very high for these grants, and applications will close once all the funding has been allocated, so I would urge businesses to submit a grant application as soon as possible.”
Applications for the grants are on a competitive basis, subject to availability of funds, and distributed at the discretion of the council.
If you need help with your grant application or have a general query, you can get in touch by emailing business.development@wolverhampton.gov.uk or calling the business support phone line on 01902 555572 between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Thursday or from 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays.
