Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council (ABC): Fit for the Future

Overview

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has launched a new grant scheme, which is designed to help bring vacant properties back into use and support revitalisation across the borough.

The Fit For Future Scheme sets out to offer grants of up to £20,000 to qualifying applicants to help support internal and external frontage renovation projects. Open to property owners and prospective tenants, the Scheme aims to contribute to modern high-spec properties, enhanced streetscapes, increased occupancy, and job creation within the borough.

As reducing commercial vacancy remains a key priority for council, we recognise the quality of the borough’s properties is crucial to driving long term sustainable growth for the region.

Funding Details

The maximum level of financial assistance is 80% of total eligible costs with a maximum grant amount of £20,000 per applicant. Only properties which have been vacant for 2 years or more are eligible to apply for this grant. (properties that have been occupied by temporary meanwhile use/pop-ups will be considered).

Who

The scheme is open to property owners with a property located inside the settlement development limits of our villages, towns and city. Applications are also welcome from potential new tenants seeking a minimum two year lease in an eligible property.

This grant is aimed at property owners or prospective tenants who wish to undertake internal property improvement works to enhance functionality and appearance of a property and making it fit for use. Small external works (if included as part of a larger scheme), such as improvements to the frontage or façade of the property can also be funded as part of this grant.

Objectives

The Scheme outcomes will:

• Tackle prominent long-term vacant properties within the Borough’s ‘Settlement Development Limits’
• Impact positively on the streetscape of the city, towns and villages.
• Provide high specification buildings.
• Create buildings that are fit for purpose and ready to occupy.
• Bring redundant/disused floor space back into use.
• Create employment.
• Aid business expansion.
• Enable retention of commercial properties.

Applications will be prioritised for:

• Proposals with the necessary statutory approvals already in place
• Vacant ground floor units within the town centre boundary
• Properties which occupy a prominent place in the town centre or along key gateways
• Proposals which can demonstrate the project will be completed to a high standard of works
• Proposals which can demonstrate that they intend to create new jobs and/or volunteering opportunities
• Proposals which can demonstrate sustainability

What can you apply for?

This is a Capital Scheme only. There is no funding towards revenue costs such as training, IT/e-business and marketing expenditure. The maximum level of financial assistance is 80% of the total eligible capital costs submitted and approved through a successful application. This is capped at a maximum of £20,000. Only one grant per applicant can be awarded.

Eligible Costs

Examples of eligible costs include;

• Fit-out of commercial units / retail units / commercial residential (e.g. renovations; service and utility upgrades; repurposing of existing space; fixtures and fittings integral to the project)
• Shop Frontage improvements (e.g signage, shutter and wire removal and replacement of toughened glass, lighting, painting, rain water goods
• Non-recoverable VAT Please note – for commercial residential properties, only the property owner is eligible to apply. It must be let as a commercial rental property following completion of the project