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Introduction
According to the UK Commercial Property Monitor For Q1 2026 from RICS, demand for commercial space by tenant businesses for all property types in the UK had a net balance of ‑8%, compared with -9% in Q4 of 2025, showing a continued declining trend due to tough economic conditions. Office space demand was considered flat at -4% in Q1 of 2026 (vs -5% in the previous quarter) and industrial space at -1% (vs -2%). The retail sector has recorded a continued weak decline in demand at a net balance of ‑19% for Q1 2026 vs ‑21% seen in Q4 of 2025.
It is worth noting that alternative business sectors are showing an increase in demand and are bucking the trend of the decline in demand across traditional sectors. Data centres have a growth potential of 3.5%, in Q1 of 2026, aged care facilities are expected to grow by 1.7%, multifamily residential is at 1.4% and life science facilities are at 1.1%.
According to feedback from surveyors, speculative starts of new builds in commercial properties are well down across the UK due to businesses remaining cautious about expansion activities. However, there is a demand for optimisation and efficiency gains of existing premises amongst occupiers and commercial property owners.
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 Grants Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Transforming Towns Place Making Grant 2025-2027
Ceredigion County Council and Powys County Council are running a scheme providing funding for businesses to support capital investment to help regenerate towns and internal and external commercial improvements for business owners. External works include shopfronts, signage, windows and doors, roofs and chimneys, rainwater goods, rendering, stone cleaning and repairs. Internal works include improved accessibility, walls, ceilings, lighting, utilities and services. Funding up to £300,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st December 2026
ii) 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 and facilities. Capital Expenditure includes investment in acquiring or upgrading company assets, for example land and buildings and premises fit out or refurbishment. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Historic Environment Grant
Historic Environment Scotland is providing funding to support historic environment projects, such as archaeological excavations and research, repair and consolidation works, skills and training and outreach and learning. Eligible costs include repair work to buildings and fabric repair works. Funding up to £750,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Town Centre Premises Grant
Renfrewshire Council is running a grant scheme that aims to assist businesses to move into empty, ground-floor commercial premises in town centres across Renfrewshire. Eligible costs can include, but are not limited to, premises improvements, fixtures and fittings, security equipment and installation and buying stock. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Leasing Scheme Wales
The Isle of Anglesey County Council is running a scheme that allows landlords to lease their properties to the council for guaranteed monthly rental income. Benefits of joining the scheme include grants of up to £25,000 to bring properties up to rental standard and up to £5,000 to improve properties energy ratings.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Vacant Premises Improvement Grant
Falkirk Council is running a scheme that aims to address the issue of vacant town centre unit space, stimulate new start-up activity and support business expansion by providing funding towards the costs of capital investments. Eligible costs include improving vacant premises to attract new tenants, conversion costs to enable new/expanded uses, installation of, or upgrades to, fixtures and fittings, energy efficiency improvements, accessibility improvements and external works and cosmetic improvements. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 28th February 2027
vii) High Street Fit Out Grant Workshop
Bassetlaw District Council is running a scheme that aims to support new businesses to fit out premises on the high streets and within the town centre in Worksop from April 2026 until March 2027. The grant can be used to fund structural works to a property and/or equipment a business needs to provide services and trade from the property. Funding up to £15,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st January 2027
viii) Pride In Our HIgh Street
Telford and Wrekin Council is running a scheme that provides grants for businesses and entrepreneurs to help them start a new high-street business. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the finance in place to be able to contribute a minimum of 20% of total start-up costs. Eligible activities include undertaking building/conversion works to a unit and the associated labour costs. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For UK 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.