Two Bath shops have recently received stylish new façades as part of a broader high street revitalisation effort led by Bath & North East Somerset Council. This initiative aims to breathe fresh life into local neighbourhoods and strengthen community spirit.
The Timebank Community Sharing Space on Twerton High Street and Rach’s Café on Mount Road, Southdown, are the latest beneficiaries of the Bath Local Centres High Street Improvement Scheme. This project focuses on enhancing the appearance and appeal of local businesses to foster vibrant, welcoming environments.
Rach’s Café, a family-run business that opened in autumn 2025, transformed a previously vacant unit into a lively social hub. Its newly designed shopfront features a colourful botanical theme, created in collaboration with Bath-based You & Me Architecture, making it a standout spot on Mount Road.
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Timebank Community Sharing Space, a centre offering community support and activities, has also received a refreshed shopfront with new signage and restored wooden panels. The centre helps residents earn and spend time credits by assisting neighbours, building stronger and more connected local relationships.
The High Street Improvement Scheme supports enhancements across multiple locations including Twerton High Street, Mount Road, Moorland Road, and Weston High Street. Beyond shopfront upgrades, the scheme has introduced street furniture, planting, public art, community events, signage, and initiatives that activate vacant shops.
Funding for the scheme comes from a £295,000 grant through the West of England Combined Authority’s ‘Love our High Streets’ programme and £145,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy. Further investment is anticipated following a Government announcement on September 26 that Twerton will receive £20 million through the Pride in Place programme, which empowers local communities to influence how neighbourhoods are developed.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, commented, “These refreshed shopfronts not only look fantastic but also foster community pride. Supporting local businesses like Timebank and Rach’s Café is an investment in the heart of our neighbourhoods, making them better places to live and work."
Rach and Andy, the café owners, shared, “Our customers love having a café on Mount Road—it’s become a social hub for the community. We’re excited to launch our crochet club here next week, further strengthening local connections.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, added, “Twerton, Southdown, and other neighbourhoods deserve real, lasting change. This is just the beginning of a new chapter, with £20 million in national investment over the coming decade giving local people a direct voice in shaping their communities. These shopfront improvements demonstrate the power of targeted investment to breathe new life into our high streets.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Invest in B&NES team continues to offer support for local businesses to start up and grow, reinforcing the area’s economic and cultural vitality.