Belfast City Council: Sandy Row Revitalisation Grant Scheme

Overview

The Sandy Row Revitalisation Grant Scheme aims to support existing independent retail businesses in the Sandy Row boundary area (see the map showing the Sandy Row Area Boundary Map). 

This is to provide physical improvements to their businesses, leading to an enhanced local shopping destination and a potential increase in pedestrian traffic and footfall in the area, in advance of the planned Department for Communities Grosvenor Road and Sandy Row Public Realm Improvement Scheme.

It is anticipated that grant offers will be made from March 2025 until 30 June 2025, and your project, if you are successful, cannot commence until you receive a formal letter of offer from the Council. Projects must be completed by 31st December 2025, with all works finished, paid and through the bank account by this date. 

How much is available?

They have secured £250k funding from the Department for Communities for the Sandy Row Revitalisation Scheme (£225k for business grants, and £25k to deliver an area-based marketing and branding campaign).

The Scheme can provide funding of up to 100% of costs for eligible items of expenditure, up to a maximum of £5000.00 per applicant.  The minimum application value is £500.00.

Grants will be issued to successful applicants in the order in which applications are received and accepted by the Council but will only be issued to those applications who meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme, until the funds available to the Council have been fully allocated.

Eligible costs

This is a capital grant scheme to support the purchase of new items only, including infrastructure, between £500 and £5000. Eligible items can include but are not exclusive to: 

External improvements*

*Please note all external improvements may require statutory approvals e.g. planning permission, building control approval, café pavement licensing, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they have all necessary approvals in place. 

• shop frontage enhancements
• repair/restoration of architectural elements
• signage, painting, and lighting
• installation of new or replacement of awnings and external furniture
• removal of shutters and replacement with toughened glass
• external CCTV
• access improvements

Internal improvements/fitting out vacant premises*

*Please note all internal improvements may require statutory approvals e.g. building control approval, café pavement licensing, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they have all necessary approvals in place. 

• upgrading internal fixtures and fittings
• new or upgraded equipment including point of sale technology
• access improvements
• internal lighting
• business related equipment
• customer facilities
• improved security features
• furniture required for project delivery
• equipment to facilitate digitisation e.g. hardware, such as laptops/iPads/contactless payment terminals. 

Please note that software may only be purchased if purchased at the same time as the appropriate computer hardware for that software and must be for the use of the business purpose.

Please note Procurement requirements for costs in Guidance

Eligibility

• An applicant must be a trading business, social enterprise or charity with an address within the Sandy Row Boundary area Belfast (Refer to Annex A2 of the Guidance Notes: Sandy Row Area Boundary Map)

To be eligible for a grant under the scheme, the organisation must be:

• An existing, registered business, social enterprise or charity that has been actively trading at the location since at least September 2024. 
• They must be able to provide appropriate proof of registration (e.g. Companies House; charity number or HMRC self-assessment number/ Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
• Organisations must provide proof of a bank accounts, which are used solely for the related business purposes.
• The business must provide evidence of tenure and permission from the property owner to complete the works. If grant funding is awarded, Council will require a copy of the lease agreement prior to any funding being paid or;
• Council will accept written consent from the property owner through the Property Owner Consent Form (Refer to Annex A1 of the Application Form)

Only organisations which meet these criteria are eligible to apply.

Please note that the financial assistance provided under this scheme may be considered State Aid. Successful applicants are required to complete the State Aid declaration, which is included in the application form, as part of the application process. (Refer to Annex C1 of the application form: State Aid Declaration)

Notes

• Applicants cannot start any work or purchase any items of equipment until they receive their Letter of Offer. Work or purchases made prior to receipt of the Letter of Offer will not be eligible. 
• The applicant, his/her/it’s agent(s) and/or contractor is/are responsible for all risks in connection with public or employer liability associated with any works funded by a grant under the Scheme.

See Guidance for further details.