Bridgewater’s in Business A walk along the banks of the Bridgewater Canal in Salford is a journey to the past and a glimpse into the future. Every stretch of the waterway has a story to tell us about human ingenuity, endurance and events that shaped both Salford and the world. This is a place of global importance, inspired by the vision of three men and the toil of hundreds of nameless heroes. The canal is at the beginning of a real transformation into a place that is once again a genuine focus for local, regional and national communities. With the support of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Salford City Council, Peel Holdings and other partner organisations, the canal will be transformed with new towpaths, information panels, rejuvenated parks, events and celebrations. Worsley Delph and Barton Aqueduct will be reopened and unveiled to the public for the first time in years. The regeneration work is just beginning and there are lots of events and activities happening right now on the Bridgewater Canal. We see local businesses as a community that can play a critical role in the long term promotion of the canal and its continued development as a visitor destination and through our ‘Bridgewater’s in Business’ grant scheme we want to support them in that role. Explanatory notes and application form Businesses play a valuable role in establishing a sense of place in their location; they provide facilities and services and have the potential to reinforce a positive community and visitor experience. Because of this crucial role, a grant will be offered to businesses located on or near the Bridgewater Canal (half a mile) to enable them to theme an area of business. The grant is offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. The grant aims to generate interest in the canal and its history, enhance the physical attractiveness, and improve the footfall and customer experience of visitors to the Bridgewater Canal in Salford. A grant for up to £1,000 can be used for; promoting the Bridgewater Canal through your business or theming or linking an area of your business to the Bridgewater Canal. Example projects may include; purchase of historic photos for display information boards about the history and heritage of the canal re-naming rooms with a Bridgewater theme e.g. Brindley meeting room theming menus, cocktails, placemats or beer mats commissioning/purchasing artworks or features that promote the canal projects that promote the canal to a younger generation – themed children’s food menus/themed children’s activity packs development and promotion of themed trails/walks The above list of examples is not exhaustive; we particularly welcome proposals that are innovative and will generate positive interest in Salford’s Bridgewater Canal. Application criteria: The business must be within approximately half a mile radius of the Bridgewater Canal in Salford. We cannot take applications from outside Salford. Any works must be carried out to a good standard by a contractor registered under any relevant trade scheme. While 100% may be awarded, efforts should be made to secure match funding. Applications will be weighted as appropriate to reflect this. The project must be accessible to the public to help promote the Bridgewater Canal in Salford. Information should be supplied detailing approximate footfall, or estimated visitors who will access the project over a one year period. It is ESSENTIAL that the following is supplied with an application: Copy of the quotation for the work proposed. A copy of written consent for the works to proceed from the owner of the premises (if applicable). A copy of the signed lease which must be for a period greater than six months. A copy of any relevant plans or designs for the project. Confirmation of any necessary planning, listed building and building regulation approval, if required. Please note: Only one grant per premises and per business will be. All works to be completed and grant claimed within a six month period from the date of the grant acceptance letter being signed. Payment will be made on completion of the project to a high standard and on production of relevant invoice together with photography/literature showing the completed project. The applicant must have all the necessary permissions and licences to operate the business, e.g. lease, planning permission, building regulation consent, etc. Any fees associated with gaining necessary permissions cannot be included within the grant application. Retrospective applications will not be considered. By submitting an application the applicant gives consent for Salford City Council to use information provided for publicity purposes. Award of the grant does not imply that Salford City Council are expressing a view regarding the business or its products, nor that they accept responsibility for any debts or liabilities incurred by the applicant, the business or the business associates. The decision of the officers of Salford City Council is final. We reserve the right to vary the level of grant or reject an application. Assessing the application Salford City Council will be responsible for considering each application and making the grant offer in accordance with the terms and conditions set out above. Each application will be judged on its own merits. Decision on application Notification of decision on the application will be made in writing to the applicant. An offer of a grant will be made in a letter, which will specify: the eligible applicant the eligible premises an agreed list of proposed works to be undertaken the approval cost calculated in accordance with the quotations submitted with the application the maximum amount of grant awarded the date by which the works must be completed. The offer of grant An offer of grant must be accepted within 21 days of receipt of the offer letter. After this date the offer will be automatically withdrawn. The applicant will then have to reapply if they still wish to undertake the project. Acceptance will be evidenced by completing and signing an acceptance form. The project No grant aided work is to be carried out other than in accordance with the proposal within the application and as agreed in the offer letter. Salford City Council must be notified immediately of any major variations to the project. Variations to the project must be approved in writing prior to leave as commencing. Salford City Council reserves the right to refuse the grant for changes to the specifications which it deems not suitable. Where the applicant proposes to change contractor or supplier, Salford City Council reserves the right to request fresh estimates from the new contractor or supplier if not already received. The project must be completed by the date specified in the offer letter unless agreed otherwise by Salford City Council. The applicant must inform Salford City Council immediately if the deadline cannot be met. Salford City Council will then consider the most appropriate action, but is under no obligation to alter the conditions in the original offer letter. The grant payment Grants are discretionary and Salford City Council reserves the right to withhold payment of the grant in whole or part if any condition of the offer letter has been breached or if the project has not been carried out to a satisfactory standard as judged by Salford City Council. The applicant must inform Salford City Council upon completion of project. Arrangements will then be made by Salford City Council for a site visit to inspect the completed project, if appropriate. Following satisfactory completion, the applicant must submit the contractor’s receipted invoice to Salford City Council together with photographic or literature evidence of the completed project. Payment will be subject to the applicant having complied with all terms and conditions of the scheme. If the actual costs of the project are less than those outlined in the application and agreed in the offer letter payment will be restricted to the actual amount for the works completed in accordance with the receipted invoice. If the cost of the project exceeds the maximum grant awarded as agreed in the offer letter, Salford City Council is not obliged to increase the grant amount. Increases to the grant payment will only be made in exceptional cases. Recognition This project has been funded by Salford City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund. A condition of awarding the grant will be to visibly acknowledge the funders and include the Est.1761 brand. We will send the appropriate logos should you be awarded the grant. State aid rules When offering grants Salford City Council must comply with state aid rules. Therefore, we must ensure that any applicant has not received grants or financial support from local government or government departments of more than €200,000 during the last three years. VAT Applicants who are VAT registered will have their grant assessed on the net cost of eligible works; non-registered applicants on the gross costs. If the applicant does not know whether they are VAT registered or not they must seek advice from HM Revenue and Customs. Salford City Council liability Salford City Council. its officers and agents shall not at anytime be held liable to any person in relation to any loss or damage arising, either directly or indirectly, as a result of compliance by the applicant with these terms and conditions of the grant. Debt A check will be made to ascertain whether the applicant and/or trader have any outstanding debts owed to Salford City Council. If it is found that such debts exist Salford City Council reserves the right to with hold grant payment until such debts are cleared. Bridgewater’s in Business Grant Application Form Please complete fully Applicant name (in full): Mobile: Position: Business name: Business address: Postcode: Business telephone: Email address: Please indicate (type an X next to the one that applies to you): Sole trader Limited company Limited liability partnership If limited company or limited liability partnership, please give registered office Office: Address: Postcode: Company registration number: Are you VAT registered? (type an X next to the one that applies): YES NO If yes – VAT registration number: Are you the owner or lessee of the property? YES NO If you are the lessee, do you require permission to carry out this work? YES NO If yes please provide details and a copy of any permissions required Amount of grant funding a (up to a maximum of £1,000) £ Salford City Council cannot accept applications from businesses in arrears with Salford City Council business rates. Please supply your business rates number Have you been in receipt of any other grant assistance in the last three years? YES NO If yes please give details and amounts below Please describe your project below: (please include estimated numbers of people accessing the project over a one year period and if any match funding will be secured) Please add any other information that you feel may be relevant: (continue on separate sheet if necessary) Banking Details Bank Name: Bank Address: Postcode: Sort code: Account number: Payment will be via BACs transfer Declaration: (Please read carefully) 1. I have provided Salford City Council with required quotation for the work to be undertaken. 2. I have provided a copy of the property owner’s written consent for the works to proceed (if applicable). 3. I confirm that my business has all the necessary permissions and licences to operate. 4. I confirm that I am responsible for all works carried out as a result of the award of this grant and will ensure that all works comply with all relevant regulations and legislation. 5. I understand that the project needs to be implemented within the date specified in the offer letter. 6. I consent to all documentation submitted being made available for Salford City Council’s use. I understand that any personal information provided on this form will be used to process the application and may be used to monitor the support of the project. Personal data will only be held in accordance with Data Protection legislation. I also understand that the council is bound by the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. 7. I do not object to Salford City Council seeking information from other public sector bodies. 8. I understand that Salford City Council reserves the right to recover the entire grant if any information supplied is found to be inaccurate or misleading or if I am found to have improperly tried to influence the decision of any officer of Salford City Council. 9. I have read and understand the criteria for application and accompanying notes and agree to comply with the Bridgewater Business Grant scheme. I am aware that false declarations will invalidate my application. 10. I understand that any payment will be made directly into my business bank account through the Bank Automated Clearance System. 11. I understand that Salford City Council is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers. The Council may check information provided to it, with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds and with other information it holds, in order to prevent and detect fraud. 12. I undertake not to do anything to bring the council’s reputation and/or standing into disrepute or attract adverse publicity for the council. 13. I confirm that the details given in this application are full and accurate Signed Print Name Position Date Please return completed form to: Charlotte.pritchard@salford.gov.uk If you need further information or any help with completing this application form, please do not hesitate to contact Charlotte Pritchard 0161 686 7428. If you are not the owner of the premises, please complete this form and include it with your application. 1. Business Address: Postcode: 2. Proposed works: 3. Owner Name: Address: Postcode: Telephone numbers: Mobile: 4. Tenant (if applicable) Name: Address: Postcode: Telephone numbers: Mobile: 5. Agent (if applicable) Name: Address: Postcode: Telephone numbers: Mobile: I agree to the proposed works being undertaken and that I am authorised to agree to the works specified. Signed Print Name Position Date Please give details of the business bank account the grant is to be paid into. Account Details Name on account: Name of bank/building society: Bank address: Postcode: Sort Code: