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Introduction
According to a 2025 report from Thomas Carroll Group PLC on Key Trends Shaping the UK Construction Sector, the main issue affecting the industry are persistent skills shortages pushing up the overall costs of building and renovation activity. A lack of specialists available for projects, such as insulation installers and renewable energy engineers have caused construction and building improvement costs to increase in London alone by 22%. This trend is a lead in for the rest of the UK where building costs are estimated to increase by 15% over the next 5 years.
Skills shortages have led to higher wage costs in specialist roles and also across the board for all construction workers. In Q2 of 2024 construction wages for unskilled and semi-skilled construction workers went up by +14.9% and +5.6% for mechanical and electrical trades. These figures are expected to increase in 2025. It is estimated that the building industry requires an increase of 937,000 new recruits over the next decade in order to keep up with the demand for building projects in the UK and therefore stabilise labour costs.
Businesses looking to renovate or expand their commercial premises who are struggling to afford to meet the estimated costs for carrying out building works can apply for grants and loans to help with these activities. Funding is available from local authorities and enterprise support agencies in towns, cities and across rural areas.
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Building and Renovation Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Transforming Towns Flintshire
Flintshire County Council is running a scheme providing funding to support the delivery of a wide range of projects in Flintshire’s town centres. Eligible projects can include green infrastructure developments to improve biodiversity and enhance public spaces and internal and external commercial and residential improvements for business owners. There are a broad range of eligible external and internal building renovation works that funding can be spent on. Funding up to £250,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Growing Places Fund – Business Growth Capital Investment Programme Hull and East Yorkshire Business Growth Skills Hub is running a scheme providing grants to support businesses to invest in infrastructure, technology, and other capital projects that will stimulate growth and create jobs. Eligible costs include refurbishment, alterations and building works associated with the repurposing or extension of premises. Funding up to £250,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2026
iii) West Norfolk Rural Business Capital Grants 2025/26
Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk is running a scheme that aims to support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy. The scheme also supports the development of local attractions, trails and tourism products. Eligible costs include updating premises and repurposing premises for other non farming commercial purposes. Funding up to £100,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Rural England Prosperity Fund 2025-26
Stafford Borough Council is providing funding to businesses for projects including the creation of event venues or farm tourism facilities, the purchase of food processing equipment for non-farmed own businesses, and the development of local tourist attractions. Funding up to £65,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 30th November 2025
v) Greentech Business Growth Fund
Crawley Borough Council is providing funding to support businesses that operate in the green-tech or low-carbon sectors to support projects and investments that will enable business growth and generate jobs. Eligible costs can include, but are not limited to, investments in business premises, facilities, or equipment, product development, specialist research, training, or consultancy and market development. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Dunoon CARS – Shopfront Grants
Argyll and Bute Council is providing grants for shop owners in the Dunoon Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme to repair and improve their shop frontage. Eligible costs include painting of external shopfronts, replacement of signs, repair of architectural details and repairs to timber works. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Shop Unit Business Grant Project
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is providing a scheme for businesses to apply for funding for works to improve the look and feel of their shop units, including new shopfronts, signage, flooring, lighting and other refurbishments that will enhance the attractiveness of local high streets. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Shopfront Improvement Grants (Capital)
Tendring District Council is running a scheme providing funding to high street businesses based in Clacton on Sea, Holland on Sea or Jaywick Sands towards the cost of external works which may otherwise have proven too expensive. Funding up to £20,000 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 individuals and 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 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/