New Grant Schemes to Support Business Growth Across Ards and North Down

Ards and North Down Borough Council has announced two new grant schemes to support local businesses and bring vacant properties and land back into commercial use across the Borough.

The Borough-wide Empty to Energised Grant and the Internal Fit-Out Grant form part of the Council's expanded Supporting Thriving High Streets AND Places Programme. Supported by funding from the Local Economic Partnership (LEP), the Department for Communities (DfC) and the Council, alongside contributions from businesses and property owners, the programme will support improvements to commercial premises, land and local places, helping to maximise the impact of public investment.

The new schemes build on the Supporting Thriving High Streets Programme, which has delivered the DfC-funded Glow Up Grant and Freshen Up Grant, alongside the Council-funded Empty to Energised pilot scheme. Driven by the City and Town Local Action Groups and shaped by local priorities, this next phase aims to reduce vacancy, encourage private investment and create more attractive places to work, visit and do business.

The LEP is providing £500,000 to support the Borough-wide Empty to Energised Grant. Funding for the Local Economic Partnership is provided by the Department for the Economy through its Regional Balance Fund. Delivery is led locally by the Council in collaboration with the key Economic Partners. Building on the pilot in Bangor and Newtownards, the scheme will support opportunities to bring vacant or derelict properties and land back into commercial use across the Borough.

DfC is providing £300,000 for the Internal Fit-Out Grant, alongside its recently announced £900,000 investment in Clean City and Tidy Towns. Together, these investments will help improve commercial premises and the streets and spaces around them, supporting business growth and creating more welcoming local places.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Craig Blaney, said:

"This is a significant investment in the economic future of Ards and North Down. We want to turn vacant spaces into places of opportunity, where businesses can open their doors, expand and create jobs and where investment brings renewed activity to our local communities.

By investing in both commercial premises and the places around them, we can help build business confidence and encourage further private investment. Our ambition is lasting economic growth: a stronger local economy, greater productivity and growing the non-domestic rate base. I encourage businesses and property owners to explore how these grants could help turn their plans into reality."

Chair of the Ards and North Down Local Economic Partnership, Alderman Alan McDowell, said:

"Empty to Energised is about unlocking the economic potential of properties and land that are currently sitting unused. Our £500,000 investment, funded by the Department for the Economy, will help businesses and property owners take the next step towards bringing these assets back into commercial use.

The LEP has helped shape a Borough-wide scheme with business growth at its heart. By aligning this funding with the Council's wider regeneration investment, we want to create opportunities for businesses to establish, thrive and expand - and help attract further investment into Ards and North Down."

Applications for both grant schemes are now open, and close on Monday 7 December 2026. Businesses, property and landowners and other prospective applicants are encouraged to read the relevant guidance, check their eligibility and prepare their supporting documents before applying.

To apply, visit www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/Supporting-Thriving-High-Streets

Funding is subject to eligibility, assessment and scheme conditions; submitting an application does not guarantee an award.

Photo caption: Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Craig Blaney alongside (L-R) Derek Wright, Vice Chair of Ards and North Down Local Economic Partnership and Alderman Alan McDowell, Chair of the Ards and North Down Local Economic Partnership.