Knottingley's Hill Top businesses brought back to life by grants

The Hill Top Retail Enhancement Fund was launched in January 2019, following the success of similar projects in Wakefield and Pontefract.

It allows local businesses to access funding to improve their shop fronts, increasing the visual impact of Hill Top and encouraging shoppers to visit the area.

Helen Skelding, who manages Hill Top Cafe and Deli, was among the business owners to benefit from the scheme.

She said: “It’s good for the community, because they didn’t have anywhere to go

“This shop has been empty for nearly 15 years. It has been a lot of work because it was just like a blank shell.

“There was no shop front or anything, we had to knock down walls and get new shutters and things.”A total of 10 busi

nesses have taken part in the scheme so far, with £47,500 in shop front grants. A further £86,000 has also bee invested by the businesses.

Wakefield Council said the project was also to thank for the successful reopening of three previously empty units on The Arcade, including the former Barclays Bank, which had been closed for 10 years.

Councillor Darren Byford, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Regeneration, said: “It is fantastic to see the difference these grants have made to the Hill Top area of Knottingley.

“We want to encourage residents to use local amenities and hopefully the new look and feel of the area, as well as some exciting new businesses opening up, will do just that.

“I would encourage business owners in Knottingley and Ferrybridge to get in touch and see how we can help.

“It has certainly made a big difference to the businesses we have supported so far.”

Interested businesses should contact [email protected] for further information.