The recovery package, what we're doing and how you can help.
We have secured £4.725 million of funding to help the city centre and high streets recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and help get more people visiting and using these places. The programme will link up with other initiatives to maximise the funding and support available.
High street improvements
To help us develop our action plans for our priority high streets and make sure funding is put to best use, we engaged with businesses and residents from September to November 2021 to:
- understand what improvements are needed
- gather ideas on the type of events and activities people would like to see
Following the first round of engagement, we engaged with businesses and residents again from January to March 2022, to gather more detail on the improvements and activities people told us they would like to see, to make sure funding is put to best use.
See what people have said about each high street.
City wide support packages
The programme includes 4 citywide packages of support.
The Greener High Streets Grant Scheme
Grants of up to £5,000 were available to help purchase and install new products and equipment that reduce your carbon emissions and cut your utility costs.
The Greener High Streets Grant scheme was available to small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) that are set up as Sole Traders or simple Partnerships and are operating their business from a fixed property in Bristol's city centre, or on one of Bristol's 46 designated high streets.
This grant scheme closed to new applications on 31 December 2024.
For more information, go to the Greener High Streets Grant page.
The Vacant Commercial Property Grant Scheme
Businesses and organisations can apply for funding from £2,500 up to £10,000 to bring a vacant commercial property back into permanent or temporary use.
This grant is open for applications until Friday 14 November 2025. If all funds are allocated before this date, we may close early.
Visit the Vacant Commercial Property Grant Scheme page for more information.
Business Engagement and Support
We can:
- help you access business support and services from the council and our partners
- discuss the latest opportunities for your business
If you'd like to arrange a call, video meeting or a visit at your premises to talk through how we can help, email business@bristol.gov.uk
Download the pdf businesses information booklet(2.03 MB) .
Marketing and promotion
Including:
- Twitter at @ShopLocalBris Go to https://twitter.com/ShopLocalBris (opens new window)
- Shop Local Bristol Facebook Go to https://www.facebook.com/shoplocalbris/ (opens new window) page
- Instagram @ShopLocalBris Go to https://www.instagram.com/shoplocalbris/ (opens new window)
- Wheres It To campaign Go to http://www.wheresittobristol.com (opens new window)
- Bristol Night campaign Go to https://www.bristolnights.co.uk/ (opens new window)
Geographically targeted interventions
The City Centre and High Streets Culture and Events Programme
Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority's Love our High Street project are now investing a further £170,000 in Bristol's city centre.
This is following a successful Culture and Events Programme which ran from 2021-23.
For more information, visit the Culture and Events Programme page.
Street scene and green infrastructure enhancements
Targeted interventions are focussed on the city centre and nine local priority high streets.
The priority high streets are:
- City centre
- Brislington (Brislington Hill and Bristol Hill)
- Church Road, St George
- East Street, Bedminster
- Filton Avenue
- Filwood Broadway
- Shirehampton High Street
- Stapleton Road
- Stockwood (Hollway Road and Stockwood Road)
- Two Mile Hill
Find out what we're doing to improve the city centre and high streets.