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Introduction
According to a 2026 survey by Safesite Facilities, the average cost per year for vacant property incidents is around £50,000 for commercial property owners. Around 44% questioned stated that their costs arising from security and other property damaging incidents were between £25,000 and £50,000 per year, with 26% citing even higher costs at £50,000 to £100,000 and around 5% putting their figures up as high as £100,000 to £250,000 over the last 12 months.
What Were The Biggest Threats To Vacant Properties Over The Last 12 Months?
The list below denotes the total percentage of businesses questioned who experienced each incident type that came with an associated cost
- Building Deterioration – 25.7%
- Metal Or Cable Theft – 24.9%
- Anti-Social Behaviour – 24.0%
- Pest Infestations – 20.6%
- Water Damage – 20.3%
- Trespassing – 18.6%
- Squatting – 17.4%
- Theft – 16.9%
- Vandalism/Graffiti – 15.7%
- Fly Tipping – 15.4%
- Arson/Fire Damage – 13.1%
Vacant Commercial Property Owners Have Experienced Changes In Insurance Policies Due To Increased Risk Of Leaving Them Unoccupied
It is the case that 95% of vacant premises owners have seen their insurance premiums increase or have seen their insurance conditions tightened, due to increased instances and costs of security and damage risks.
- 59% of businesses have seen their insurance premiums increased
- 46% have seen their insurance conditions tightened (such as increase in risk exclusions when property is vacant)
- Only 5% have not experienced any change in their insurance policies
Commercial property owners or businesses who are looking for funding assistance to renovate and help utilise a vacant property, or expand an existing commercial premises can access a number of 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 Buildings and Renovation Grants Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Transforming Towns Programme – Town Centre Commercial Property Improvement Grants
Bridgend County Borough Council is running a scheme for commercial building occupiers and owners in Bridgend, Maesteg and Porthcawl town centres to access funding to enhance building frontages together with the upgrade of vacant commercial floor space to bring it back into beneficial business use. Funding up to £300,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Growing Places Fund
Hull and East Yorkshire Business Growth Skills Hub is providing grants to support businesses to invest in infrastructure, technology, and other capital projects that will stimulate growth and create jobs. Eligible works include external shopfronts, signage, windows & doors, external lighting, roofs and chimneys, improved accessibility and welfare facilities. Funding up to £250,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Commercial Property Revive and Reimagine Grant
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is running a scheme that supports the restoration and/or expansion of underused, vacant and derelict properties within urban and rural settlement limits, bringing them back into productive use as high-quality, sustainable and functional commercial spaces. Funding up to £200,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 8th September 2026
iv) Pride in Place Programme
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is running a programme that will fund capital projects for businesses that create, improve or extend physical assets and infrastructure. This typically includes works such as building refurbishment, public realm improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and the purchase or installation of equipment that has a lasting value. Funding up to £75,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 2nd October 2026
v) Vacant Unit Activation Scheme
Fenland District Council is running a scheme that aims to help owners let commercial properties out with a view to revitalising March town centre and reducing the number of vacant units. Funding is available towards the cost of capital works on vacant properties to bring them up to a lettable standard. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Activation and Community Engagement Fund
North East Lincolnshire Council is running a fund that aims to support capital projects that will add local interest to the larger regeneration projects already underway. Eligible projects could include the refurbishment of vacant town centre units to attract alternative uses and increased arts and cultural activity within the town centre. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Shop Front and High Street Improvement Grant
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. Eligible costs include shop front enhancements, lighting and decoration improvements, minor building works, display equipment and payment system improvements. Funding up to £20,000 is available for a group of 4 adjoining businesses, or £5,000 for an individual applicant business.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Chorley Shop Front Improvement Grant
Chorley Council is running a scheme for commercial landlords or prospective business tenants to apply for grants to put towards the cost of works to improve the visual appearance of vacant retail properties. Eligible costs include new windows, exterior treatments, lettering, fascias and signage, lighting on the principal ground floor trading elevation of the property and physical improvements to a shop entrance to improve disability access. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Buildings and Renovation For Business Funding 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 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.