More than half a million pounds of grant funding has now been awarded to Tendring businesses to improve their shopfronts.

Companies across the district have successfully applied to Tendring District Council to either transform the appearance of their businesses or improve accessibility and security.

So far, more than £570,000 has been approved for shops across the Tendring district. Two-thirds of the money has already been transferred to the businesses to carry out the works.

Lisa Brumpton has owned the popular American/Italian restaurant Charnallies in Pier Avenue, Clacton, since 2004, and has used the scheme to have the eatery’s striking red shopfront repainted, with new shutters set to be installed in the coming weeks.

She said: “First impressions are so important in hospitality and having a smart shopfront allows people to walk past and be reassured about our quality and high standards.

“Like all independent business owners, I want to invest as much as I can, and I am grateful for any support to enable that.

“The grant process went very smoothly, and I never felt like accessing the funding was going to be too difficult or out-of-reach.”

Nadia Nardino, owner of Harwich Canine Style in Wick Lane, Dovercourt, used her grant to install a new door.

“We needed to change the previous one – it was very old and only single glazed which meant it was cold in the winter.

“Having the new one put in has made it feel like a whole new shop – I am extremely happy with how it has turned out and feel much more secure.

“I found out through other local businesses that this support was available and am extremely grateful for it.”

Councillor Ivan Henderson, TDC Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism, said: “These grants are making a huge difference to businesses right across Tendring.

“We are proud to have helped so many different businesses – from dog groomers to engineers and from people starting up to those who have been stalwarts in their town centres for decades.

“We want to help our great local businesses and entrepreneurs wherever we can as they drive economic growth, support communities, and raise aspirations.”

A total of 75 businesses have successfully applied for grants so far from two separate Government funding streams - the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Community Regeneration Partnership. Additionally, more than 30 shops have received support from the Dovercourt High Street Accelerator programme for shopfront and interior improvements.

More grants are on course to be approved in the coming weeks, and new applications from businesses in Jaywick Sands are still being accepted.

For more information on the success of the scheme and details of how to apply, click here.