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Introduction
People are often familiar with how expensive home improvements can be, however small business owners also soon discover that renovating commercial premises are also very expensive when you have to factor in labour costs and material costs and the overall scale of the project. The costs to move into and improve a new business location or renovate an existing commercial premises can run into tens of thousands of pounds for the average small business. The benefits are significant as it can provide functional space to allow a business to grow and carry out new activities, or scale up the core functions that they are already doing. It can also provide a huge boost to attracting new customers and clients who will value the look and feel of a location that has recently been modernised.
One such way for small businesses to help mitigate these relocation or existing premises improvement project costs is to get a financial injection by applying for a building acquisition and renovation grant. Businesses can typically access this type of funding from providers in their local area, such as local councils who have a vested interest in boosting commercial property regeneration, bringing older and unused premises back into use and assisting businesses in helping to generate a healthy local economy.
What Are Some Of the Latest UK Building Acquisition and Renovation Grants Available?
i) Town and Village Centre Fund – Internal Fit Outs and Shop Front Grants
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is providing a set of grants for external renovation or improvements to shop front and facades of buildings and for internal improvements such as fitting out retail or hospitality premises in the local area. Grants of up to £10,000 are currently available.
Application Deadline: Applications are welcomed on an ongoing basis
ii) Carmarthenshire Business Flood Infrastructure Fund
Carmarthenshire County Council is providing funding to support capital projects for businesses that are affected by flooding to make improvements to their premises and infrastructure to help mitigate the effects of flooding in future severe weather incidents. Funding worth up to £50,000 is currently available. Applications that can demonstrate tangible benefits to the local economy in terms of jobs safeguarded will be prioritised.
Application Deadline: Applications are welcomed on an ongoing basis
iii) South Norfolk Rural Business Builder Capital Grant 2024/25
South Norfolk Council is making funding available to support capital investment in micro and small enterprises in rural areas in the local region. Funding can be used for assets such as acquiring and improving buildings or purchasing capital equipment. Grants worth up to £100,000 can currently be applied for.
Application Deadline: 15th February 2025
iv) Ipswich Shop Front Grant Scheme
Ipswich Borough Council is providing funding for businesses in local shopping parades to improve the visual appearance of their shop front. Funding of up to £5,000 is available and the main priorities are to enhance the aesthetic appeal of retail areas, assist in bringing any vacant units back into use, encourage additional footfall in the parades and assist in providing a vibrant and mixed retail offer.
Application Deadline: 7th November 2024
v) Leigh Town Centre Building Grant Scheme
Wigan Council has made available a Government backed £1m fund for owners of properties that are in commercial use in Leigh town centre to apply for funding towards the cost of conservation-led repairs and improvements of buildings. Applicants have until March 2026 to spend the grant funding and complete the projects.
Expression of Interest Deadline: 30th November 2024
vi) SME Start and Grow Business Grants – New Property
Angus Council is providing grants to support businesses at all stages in the local area with the costs of fitting out new premises where they have been vacant for over 12 months. Funding worth up to £7,000 is currently available.
Application Deadline: 31st December 2024
vii) Shop Front and High Street Improvement Grant Scheme
Crawley Borough Council is providing funding to businesses towards the cost of significant visual improvements to their frontage, or physical improvements to frontline business operations at retail and high street locations in the local area. Funding worth up to £20,000 is currently available.
Application Deadline: Applications are welcomed on an ongoing basis
viii) Ely High Street Renewal: Capital Grant Fund Scheme
East Cambridgeshire District Council is providing capital funding to support improvements to the frontage of buildings or the general appearance of Ely’s town centre area. Funding worth up to £20,000 is currently available.
Application Deadline: Applications are welcomed on an ongoing basis
ix) Derby Vacant to Vibrant Grants
Derby City Council is providing funding to support the reactivation of empty commercial units in the Cathedral Quarter and Becketwell area of Derby. Funding worth up to £100,000 is currently available.
Application Deadline: Applications are welcomed on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Building Acquisition 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 grant 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 Building Acquisition and Renovation Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK building acquisition and renovation funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/
