A VISIT to Ledbury aimed at sprucing up shop fronts in the town was a great success, says a trade representative.

Len Huff, chairman of the Ledbury Independent Traders' Association and Ledbury and Area Regeneration Partnership, spent two hours walking around the town with representatives from the Herefordshire Partnership, in connection with the shop front grant scheme.

The scheme provides money from the Government to businesses want-ing to improve their premises. The Hereford Partnership is responsible for distributing the money in Ledbury.

On Friday, representatives Helen Tong and Nadine Kinsey were given the town tour.

"They wanted to see for themselves the geographical boundaries of the scheme, the number of shops that will be eligible and to get an idea of how many shops might benefit from a 'facelift'," Mr Huff said.

"We noted that, in contrast to the independent shops, a number of shops from national chains could do with a facelift and I shall be writing to the head offices of these shops asking if consideration might be given to their shop fronts being refurbished."

He added that comment was made on how many independent shopkeepers had recently refurbished their shop fronts outside of the scheme but a number of shops were still painted in 'drab' colours.

For more information about the shop front grant scheme, call Mr Huff on 01531 363788.