Grants from £2,500 up to £10,000 are available to help businesses start trading from a city centre or local high street property.
The Vacant Commercial Property Grant scheme has reopened, supporting new or expanding small organisations looking to open a new premises in the city centre or on one of Bristol’s 46 high streets.
It is open to businesses, charities, community interest companies (CICs), sole traders and arts and culture groups for both long-term and temporary or meanwhile use.
The grant can be used to pay for capital expenditure including any structural or physical works to the premises or any equipment a business needs in order to trade.
Cllr Andrew Brown, chair of the council’s Economy and Skills Committee, said it was committed to supporting businesses and the recovery of the city centre and Bristol’s high streets.
“Following the success of the previous round, we’re pleased to be able to reopen the Vacant Commercial Property Grant scheme. The grant provides financial support at a time of ongoing financial pressure to help get new businesses up and running, easing the burden of opening a new premises,” he added.
“Through the grant, we are looking to reduce the number of empty commercial properties across Bristol’s city centre and local high streets, diversify and enhance the commercial offering in these areas to help increase footfall, create new jobs and make Bristol a better place to live for our residents.”
The amount of funding available depends on the length of lease or rental agreement. Applicants are expected to match any award granted by at least 20%.
Applications must be received before 11:59pm on Friday 14 November 2025 and those that are successful must start trading from the funded property by Friday 30 January 2026.
The Vacant Commercial Property Grant first launched in November 2021, running through to September 2024. In that time, the council’s economic development team received more than 600 enquiries and supported 145 new and expanding small businesses, charities and social enterprises, allocating £1,150,798 in grants to open new shops and premises.
The grant helped create around 300 jobs and supported a reduction of the city centre vacancy rate by 3.2% over the time period.
To apply, the business or organisation must be looking to lease or rent currently vacant commercial premises located within Bristol city centre or one of the 46 high streets.
Consideration will be given to properties located just outside these areas as long as they are in very close proximity to them.
Applicants can check whether a property is within the boundary of the city centre or the high streets covered by the scheme.
Applicants are encouraged to become accredited Living Wage employers, making sure their employees are earning a wage they can live on, and have a clear commitment to sustainability.
The Vacant Commercial Property Grant has received £220,000 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
