Ten businesses in the Braintree District secure funding for an external makeover

Image of Westmead Automotive
Westmead Automotive

"We launched this initiative to improve the quality of the environment on our industrial estates and support the growth of local businesses."

Ten businesses, across six industrial estates in the Braintree District, secure the funding needed to improve the external appearance of their premises.

Grants of up to £5,000 were offered to businesses willing to match the funds.

Applications were assessed on how the funding would improve the look and feel of the buildings and the positive impact it would have on the quality of the environment.

Simon Edney who owns Westmead Automotive in Gosfield used the money to install new signs and refresh the paintwork on his premises. He said: “We haven’t done too much to the place over the past 20 years so this boost has given us the opportunity to brighten the place up. We’re really proud of the improvements that we’ve made and we hope our customers like the new look too. Without the support, we wouldn’t have been able to do all the changes that we wanted.”

Sean Milbank who owns Milbank Concrete Products in Earls Colne was another one of the successful business owners. Sean said: “Our factory is in a prominent position and the condition of our building was not giving the right impression and it was affecting the professional appearance of our site. This funding, along with our investment, will help bring the look and feel of our unit up to the same standard as other business units in the area.”

The successful applicants in the initiative were businesses based on industrial estates in Braintree, Earls Colne, Gosfield, Halstead, Witham and Little Maplestead.

Cllr Tom Cunningham, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Infrastructure at Braintree District Council, said: “We launched this initiative to improve the quality of the environment on our industrial estates and support the growth of local businesses. Our support has given these businesses the incentive to repair and paint walls, install new lighting and signage and make improvements to green spaces. These improvements are creating jobs for local tradespeople, benefiting residents and other businesses in the area too.”

The £50,000 invested in supporting local businesses is expected to give the district’s economy a £250,000 boost.

Published: 9th March 2021