Empty to Energised Pilot Grant Scheme Application

Overview

Empty to Energised Pilot Grant Scheme

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 12 NOON ON MONDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2026.

The Empty to Energised Pilot Grant Scheme forms the second strand of the Supporting Thriving High Streets Programme, a £1 million investment, funded by Department for Communities, and Ards and North Down Borough Council. The Empty to Energised Pilot Grant Sheme is fully funded by the Council.

The Empty to Energised Pilot Grant Scheme is available to eligible property owners to offer financial assistance to create commercial buildings that are fit for purpose and ready to occupy to help attract long-term tenants. 

Grants will provide 80% funding up to a maximum amount of £25,000 per property. A minimum 20% financial contribution is required from eligible applicants.

There is a minimum level of £10,000 grant award.  

The scheme will open for applications on Monday 5th January 2026 and will close on Monday 16th February 2026 at 12 noon.

This is an electronic grant scheme, all communications will be sent via email.

Alternative formats will be made available upon request.

Data Protection

Ards and North Down Borough Council value your right to personal privacy. We comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 / UK General Data Protection Regulation, ensuring that information is collected fairly and lawfully, is accurate, adequate, secure, up to date and not held any longer than necessary.

The personal information provided will be used for the purposes of managing the Grant, including sending of letters of offer and processing claims.

This information will be held for seven years from the conclusion of the program when it will be securely destroyed. Information you provide may be shared with external statutory or regulatory bodies, such as the Northern Ireland Audit Office or relevant Government Department, when there is a necessary and legitimate need to do so, but any personal information you provide to the Council is held securely and used only for Council purposes.

For further information, our Privacy Statement can be viewed at https://www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/privacy-and-cookies or contact the Data Protection Officer at dataprotection@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Complete your Application Now

Online Application

Closes 16 Feb 2026

Opened 5 Jan 2026

Contact

Strategic Development Department

0300 013 3333

emptytoenergised@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Areas

  • NEWTOWNARDS

Audiences

  • Businesses

Interests

  • Customer experience