GRANTS are available to rural shops and Post Offices in Forest Heath from a scheme supported by the district council.
The shops must demonstrate sustainable economic and community benefits to qualify for the one-off revenue and capital grants. The aim of the grants is to help:

• Private rural shops and post offices, which are based in the community they serve, are viable, an asset to the community and the only business of that type in the settlement
• Social enterprises, charities, voluntary and community groups which run, or are creating, an economically viable community shop for the benefit of their rural community

Grant applications from communities threatened with post office closure will be welcomed, but grants will not be made to support campaigns to prevent a post office closure. Shops with a turnover of £7,500 per week or less may apply for grants to improve premises or to expand their business.
For more information, and to receive an application form, please contact Cheryl Paget, Economic Development Project Officer at Suffolk County Council on 01473 260793 or email cheryl.paget@suffolkcc.gov.uk