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Introduction
According to an insights report from Howard and Over Solicitors there are a number of trends taking place in the UK in 2025 for the commercial property sector that businesses, landlords and developers can take advantage of to get the best use from their premises.
i) Repurposing and Redeveloping Office Space
Demand for traditional office space is continuing to decrease as many businesses are using remote working and hybrid working strategies for their staff. There are opportunities available to convert underused or surplus office buildings into mixed-use spaces, co-working hubs or even residential units.
ii) Improving Building Sustainability
Commercial occupants of buildings are increasingly looking to see energy efficient benefits of the premises they work from, so there is a strong demand for improvements to buildings that include use of sustainable materials, renewable energy integration and energy efficient designs. Landlords can expect to see higher rents on eco friendly commercial properties.
iii) Increase in Demand For Industrial Spaces
In contrast to the decline in office space demand, due to the growth of e-commerce activity there is an increased demand for industrial units for businesses to operate from by setting up warehouses, delivery hubs and data centres. This business type is particularly interested in units close to major transport hubs or urban centres. This means that derelict factory space and warehouses from traditional industry can now be refurbished for these new tenant types.
iv) Using Technology To Create Smart Buildings
Due to the increases in technology, occupants of commercial spaces are increasingly looking for smart building technology and other technological features to improve efficiency of operations and to improve overall experience whilst using the building. Features such as smart access control to use biometric scanners or mobile access, building management systems that can actively monitor energy usage and the overall environment of the building are highly desirable.
To help fund some of the above trends, financial support for improving commercial premises in the form of grants and loans are often available from local authorities and enterprise support agencies in towns, cities and across rural areas. There is also funding available for the building of new commercial properties where existing premises are not suitable, or for the conversion of one property type into another.
What Are Some Of the Latest UK Building and Renovation Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Grant Investment Fund
North of Tyne Combined Authority and Northumberland National Park Authority, is running a Rural England Prosperity Fund backed scheme for local rural micro and small businesses to apply for capital funding to expand productive capacity or diversify into new markets or products. Businesses in agriculture, fisheries, food, manufacturing and tourism are eligible to apply. Eligible capital costs include building and renovation activities. Funding up to £300,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Invest to Grow Grants
The University of Derby is running a programme that provides funding for East Midlands businesses towards the cost of investments to create long term sustainable job and business growth. Businesses from the manufacturing, biotechnology, construction, creative, environment, food, and transport sectors are eligible to apply. Eligible capital costs include building and renovation activities. Funding up to £250,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Historic Environment Grants
Glasgow City Heritage Trust is providing funding to support projects that address one of the programme’s six priorities, including strengthening the resilience of Glasgow’s Historic Environment, increasing the quality and availability of traditional skills to help repair and maintain buildings and help tackle climate change. Eligible costs include building and renovation activities. Funding up to £100,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 15th October 2025
iv) Commercial Improvement Grant
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is providing a scheme that aims to support larger scale improvements to commercial buildings in the local area with energy efficiency being intrinsic to design. Eligible improvements include updates to shopfronts, signage, windows and doors, external lighting, roofs and chimneys, rainwater goods (guttering and down pipes), rendering, stone cleaning and repairs, re-pointing and structural works. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Empty Shops Grant Scheme
Aberdeen City Council is running a scheme that aims to reduce the number of vacant shops, leverage private investment in vacant shops to bring them back into use, support new start-ups and entrepreneurs and create new jobs through enabling the provision of suitable premises. Funding up to £35,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 30th September 2025
vi) Town Centre Premises Grant
Renfrewshire Council is running a grant scheme that aims to assist businesses to move into empty, ground-floor commercial premises in town centres across Renfrewshire. Eligible costs can include, but are not limited to, premises improvements, fixtures and fittings, security equipment and installation and buying stock. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) High Street Fit Out Grant
Bassetlaw District Council is providing a scheme that aims to support new businesses to fit out premises on the high streets and within the town centres across the District. The grant can fund structural works to a property and/or equipment needed to provide services and trade from the property. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 30th November 2025
viii) Make and Trade Grant Fund
Derby City Council is providing a scheme that aims to enable creative businesses to develop their practice in the city centre. The funding will support the development of new workspaces and studios in empty or under-used city centre buildings for makers and artists alongside the wider creative industries sectors. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Building and Renovation Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested businesses can speak to funding advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.
Want To Find The Latest UK Business Building and Renovation Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK building and renovation funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/