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Introduction
According to the SME State of Trade Survey covering H2 of 2025, 49% of small building firms noted that they had job delays due to a lack of skilled tradespeople. This has had an impact on both commercial renovation and building activities as well as residential builds.
Whilst 35% of SME builders have increased their number of staff, vs 18% who have reduced total employees, there are a number of roles that firms have had difficulty filling. The toughest new hires to find are as follows:
- Carpenters – 30%
- Bricklayers – 29%
- Plumbers and HVAC Specialists – 23%
There are also skill gaps across construction staff, including:
- Heritage Skills (specialist techniques to restore historic structures) – 58%
- New Technologies (bringing in the latest innovation in construction) – 58%
- Sustainable Building Practices (energy efficiency and eco friendly materials) – 57%
- Knowledge of Planning Reforms (regulatory awareness) (56%)
In terms of building costs in H2 2025, 75% of SME builders have seen increased material costs, 57% have experienced rising wages and as a result 61% have had to increase the price they charge for their work. This means that commercial renovation and expansion projects for businesses has increased.
Businesses who are looking for funding assistance to renovate or expand their commercial premises or explore new builds 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 Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Town Centre Property Improvement Grant
Flintshire County Council is running a scheme that supports a wide range of commercial property improvements across Flintshire’s town centres. External improvements can include shopfronts and facades building exteriors, signage, external lighting and rainwater goods. Internal improvements can include walls, ceilings and floors, accessibility, lighting, welfare and utilities and internal structural repairs. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Nelson Town Deal Grants
Pendle Borough Council is running a scheme that aims to help manufacturing businesses to become more resilient and to help them grow. The funding will cover investments in new plant or machinery, energy efficiency/carbon reduction and premises improvements or adaptations. Funding up to £100,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Commercial Improvement Grant
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is running a scheme that aims to support larger scale improvements to commercial buildings with energy efficiency being intrinsic to design. It can support improvement to commercial frontages and associated works, improvements of the overall street scene by improving property frontages further attracting customers and businesses improving footfall and customer offers. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Bridgend Valleys and District Centres Placemaking Property Improvement Grant
Bridgend County Borough Council is running a scheme that will support works to enhance building frontages and bring vacant commercial floor space back into beneficial use and to convert vacant upper-floor space into new residential accommodation above commercial units, including internal and external works to bring vacant space back into use for residential purposes. Up to £30,000 is available for occupied properties and up to £49,999 is available for properties that have been vacant for more than six months.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Dunoon CARS – Shopfront Grants
Argyll and Bute Council is running a scheme that is providing grants for shop owners in the Dunoon Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme to repair and improve their shop frontage. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Pride In Place: Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme
Hartlepool Borough Council is running a scheme that aims to support the revitalisation and visual enhancement of key high street areas within the borough by funding external shopfront improvements and professional fees. The scheme is backed by the Pride in Place Impact Fund. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Wychavon Growth Fund
Wychavon District Council is running a fund that will support a wide range of activities that will help businesses grow, such as investing in new equipment, expanding facilities, creating new jobs, or improving productivity. Eligible costs include the creation or expansion of a workspace, the creation of facilities and accessibility enhancements to tourist attractions. Funding up to £15,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Cathedral Square Shop Improvement Grant Scheme
Wakefield Council is offering funding to businesses on Bread Street, Cross Square and Little Westgate towards the cost of external works to improve the condition and appeal of their premises. Funding up to £12,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Buildings and Renovation 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.