Stowmarket Town Centre Gateway Fund

Mid Suffolk District Council has created a £1.5million fund to enhance Stowmarket town centre by bringing empty units back into use.

Work is already underway to bring new ventures and business opportunities to the town centre, following successful applications in the first round of the Stowmarket Town Centre Gateway Fund.

Preparations are now underway for Round 2. Look out for further information soon – or, to express an interest in the meantime, contact regeneration@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk

All proposals received once the application window opens formally will be reviewed by an external stakeholder panel of town representatives and all applicants will be contacted directly with an outcome - whether successful, invited to re-apply for a future round or rejected / signposted to other funding options. Follow-up enquiries may also be made in the meantime.

This fund is made possible thanks to the income generated by our investment in Gateway 14 – East Anglia’s largest business, innovation and logistics park, based near junction 50 of the A14.

How the scheme works:

1. We will work with landlords to bring under-utilised properties (including empty shops) back into use. This could involve us buying buildings, renting buildings for a short term, or helping to support their refurbishment
2. Potential occupiers will then be supported to find a location in the town centre. This will open the door for new businesses, pop-ups and other ventures who want to launch their first shop or space
3. The types of use encouraged include:
   • arts and cultural experiences
   • tourism
   • community activities
   • retail
   • small business workspaces
   • leisure, food and drink
   • activities that bring something new to the town
4. We help create exciting new opportunities, which support a sustainable and vibrant future for the town. We will work alongside key partners - such as Stowmarket Town Council, private sector owners, businesses and potential occupiers - to bring new attractions to the town centre. This will create a more resilient, mixed-use future and increase footfall
5. Any profits from the town centre initiative are then reinvested into the scheme

For more information about requirements, please read the Stowmarket Town Centre Gateway Fund (Framework)