Grants aimed at encouraging people to fill empty shop units in Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley have proved so popular the scheme could be expanded next year.

Wyre Forest District Council earmarked £20,000 earlier this year to help start-up businesses fit out, repair or improve empty shop units. Interest in gaining grants of up to £4,000 has been so high councillors are considering extending the scheme.They decided to set up the scheme to help small businesses who would not normally be able to fund the cost of shop refits.

Businesses can apply for the grant and will be eligible if they provide proof they have spent money on refurbishing premises.

Although Kidderminster has fewer shops standing idle than the national average, councillors felt it needed to take action to attract further investment.

In a bid to encourage firms to take over empty properties, councillors set aside the cash to cover some of the costs of starting up.

The grants are available for new business and for promotional work, particularly aimed at helping market the harder to let areas in the three towns where shops have remained empty for long periods.

These include Load Street, Bewdley, Lombard Street, Stourport, and Worcester Street, Blackwell Street and Coventry Street in Kidderminster.

Members of the council’s cabinet committee received a report last night that said that shopowners would be given money on production of evidence that they had actually spent the cash on repairs, refit or improvement to the property.

The report said that the grants were aimed at smaller units and intended for start-up businesses and those relocating to the Wyre Forest district. Officials have been asked to monitor the take-up of grants and compile a report for further review by councillors.