Grant helps entrepreneur expand in listed buildings

Michelle Black launched a womenswear shop Boo in the Grade-Two listed buildings earlier this year, with help from Rotherham Council's business vitality rental and fit-out grants.

The grants provide contributions of up to 50 per cent of the rent in the first year and 25 per cent in the second year, as well as contributions towards the cost of fitting out the shop.

Due to the success of Boo, Ms Black is now opening up a men's fashion store, called Boi, this week.

She said: "I'm so thrilled I'm expanding into menswear. It's better than what I could have ever hoped for when starting out with Boo.

"I never imagined Boo would do so well in the first few months to warrant the expansion into a second unit.

"I know there's a market for the ladies' fashion we sell and I'm equally as confident that male shoppers will be thrilled with the lines we have on offer in Boi."

Ms Black will be offering a discount of 10 per cent off all clothing at Boi when it opens on Saturday, May 29.

The grants scheme, funded by Rotherham Council, is part of a drive to improve the range of shops and reduce the number of empty units.

The scheme has been a success, with four successful grant applicants and Boo already open.

A further applicant is fitting out their unit, three more are negotiating terms on units and a further two grant applications are due to be considered over the next two months.

Rotherham Council's retail investment manager, Bernadette Rushton, said: "It's looking very positive for the Imperial Buildings and indeed for the town centre at the moment."

Things were coming to fruition with shops fitting out and trading, she added.