Matt is a conservation professional with nearly 20 years experience in the heritage sector, including a background in local authority conservation, town centre regeneration, grant funding and the charitable sector. Matt currently works as conservation officer for North Kesteven district council providing specialist advice on heritage and conservation matters and managing the delivery of third party grant schemes for commercial and domestic properties. Matt is also chair of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation East Midlands Branch.

Under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), grants are now available to owners and occupiers of commercial properties within Sleaford town centre. The purpose of the grant scheme is to help reverse the decline and enhance the historic environment in Sleaford conservation area through offering funding towards targeted repairs, reinstatement and replacements of shopfronts. The scheme will focus on reinstating lost or damaged features of historic properties, with a particular emphasis on reinstating traditional shop fronts where modern frontages have been installed.

However, grants are available for a wide range of works and can extend to other elements of building frontages, including on upper levels, such as the repair and replacement of windows and doors, roof repairs, repairs/renewal of leadwork, repair or replacement of rainwater goods, structural and non-structural repairs to external walls, brickwork/stonework cleaning, repair or replacement of external features such as masonry and repainting. Grants can also be used towards repaired or replaced shopfront fascias and signage in line with the Sleaford Shopfront Design Guide.

Where to find out more;

https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/planning-building/planning/conservation-heritage/sleaford-shopfront-grant-scheme