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Introduction
According to the latest Arcadis Construction Industry Trends and Market View for Q2 2026, UK industrial construction activity fell by 4.3% in Q1 of 2026 compared with Q4 of 2025 and also fell by 8% year-on-year. For construction in the commercial sector, activity increased by 1.6% quarter-on-quarter but fell by 5.1% year-on year.
The picture for the pipeline of future construction activity shows a slightly different picture. For industry, order books saw a 2.7% drop in Q1 of 2026 compared with Q4 or 2025 but saw a year on year increase of 4%. However, commercial construction order books saw a drop of 18.5% quarter-on-quarter and a year on year change of -23%.
The cost of commodities that have spiked largely due to the ongoing crisis in Iran have been cited as being one of the factors that have seen a decline of industrial and commercial related construction activities.
At The Beginning Of Q2 2026 What Are The Price Changes Of Some Key Construction Commodities
| Commodity | Price (April 2026) | Quarterly Change % | Year-on-Year % Change |
| Brent Crude (Oil) | $107.54 bbl | +51.2% | +67.5% |
| Natural Gas (Europe) | $16.17/MMBtu | +43.9% | +38.6% |
| Aluminium | $3,666 /tonne | +19.6% | +49.7% |
| Copper | $13,543 /tonne | +4.6% | +42.1% |
| Iron Ore | $108.64 /tonne | +9.9% | +12% |
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 Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Commercial Property Grant
Swansea Council is running a fund that aims to enable owners/occupiers of vacant commercial property to undertake refurbishment. There is also funding available for non-vacant premises on a case by case basis. Funding up to £300,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Transforming Towns Placemaking Grants
Pembrokeshire County Council is running a programme that aims to address the decline in town centres and the reduced demand for high street retail by bringing empty and derelict buildings in eligible towns back into commercial use. The grants will support schemes and works including, but not limited to, residential units in town centres, commercial property improvement, town centre uses and shop frontage enveloping schemes. Funding up to £300,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) City Centre Improvement Grant Fund – Minor Improvements
Glasgow City Council is running a scheme that aims to support organisations and communities in Glasgow city centre to create use spaces, deliver small projects and undertake minor improvement works. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Shipley Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme
Invest in Bradford is providing grant assistance to undertake external property improvement works to enhance the streetscape frontage of shops and businesses in Shipley town centre. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Hemsworth Shop Improvement Grant Scheme
Wakefield Council is providing funding towards the cost of improving the appearance and quality of shop units in Hemsworth. Grants can cover 80% of an improvement scheme, with a minimum grant award of £5,000 and a maximum value of £10,000.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Empty Property Grant Ashford Borough Council
Ashford Borough Council is providing funding to facilitate and support the occupation of vacant commercial units within the priority areas and within the designated Ashford Town Centre area. Eligible costs include external renovations or improvements to front elevations of buildings, works to improve the energy efficiency and carbon footprint of the premises, internal ground floor fit-outs to commercial properties. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Vacant Commercial Property Grant Scheme
Bristol City Council is providing funding to support the cost of improvements or modifications to commercial buildings, building works, including replacement shop fronts, and new equipment and shop fittings. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 30th November 2026
viii) Business Boost Grants – Shop Front Improvements
Elmbridge Borough Council is providing grants for businesses towards the cost of shop front improvements, such as cleaning brickwork and stonework, restoring traditional detailing and new shop fronts. Funding up to £5,000 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.