The fund is open to empty shops as well as those who need a lick of paint Pic: Tony Worrall

Efforts to spruce up and revive a section of New Hall Lane could see businesses being given a helping hand.

The Friends of Fishwick and St Matthews group are planning to dish out lottery funding to help repair and replace shopfronts.

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New Hall Lane is one of the main gateways into the city and has long been branded a ‘grot spot’.

Lancashire County Council is spending £1m on improvements to the road and the community group wants to offer the incentive for businesses to do their bit.

Loans of up to £5,000 are being offered for shopfronts to repair or replace shutters, signage, doors, windows or security equipment. Up to £25,000 is being made available by the Friends group.

Vice-chairman of the group and Fishwick councillor Martyn Rawlinson said: “They will be able to take out an interest-free loan to revive their shop fronts, which will include doors, windows, signage, canopies, to renew them and to make the shopping area look better.

“It’s a real opportunity for perhaps some of the shop owners to upgrade the shop fronts, to encourage more shoppers.

“We will only be offering the loans to owners or tenants who can clearly afford the repayments.”

Read more: Tasty Lane cafe plans to open in New Hall Lane

The scheme is due to run for a year and details on how to apply are due to be circulated in the coming weeks.

What do you think of the idea for the fund? Do you live or work in the area? Do you own a business there? Let us know your views in the comments below