Vacant to Vibrant Capital Grant Scheme

Belfast City Council's Vacant to Vibrant Capital Grant Scheme aims to bring vacant Belfast city centre spaces back into use and support the city centre’s revitalisation.

The scheme supports start-ups, independent retailers, social enterprises and cultural and voluntary organisations to make the Belfast city centre offering more diverse and transform vacant spaces to become vibrant.

Grants from £2,500 to £25,000 are available and it is anticipated that the following capital costs will be covered:

• smaller financial support to pop-up shops and meanwhile test space
• larger grants to encourage uptake of vacant units for a minimum of two years
• external capital works to façade to improve look and feel of the high street
• internal capital works to make a vacant property fit for purpose and support long-term occupation
• diversification of property’s unoccupied space to help existing businesses survive

Scheme extended

Belfast City Council has now also secured funding of up to £500,000 from the Department for Communities and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to extend the scheme further across the wider council boundary, including arterial routes into the city.

Grants are also still available for those located within the city centre.

To find out more and apply, email vacanttovibrant@belfastcity.gov.uk to request an application pack containing the guidance notes, application and relevant templates.