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Grants and funding
The Vacant to Vibrant scheme has two funding pots.
Due to the high level of interest, we are not currently accepting any new applications to the citywide scheme.
In the meantime, we are actively exploring opportunities to secure additional funding to extend the scheme. Please note that this is not guaranteed, and we are currently unable to provide a timeline. If you are in the process of preparing an application, we encourage you to contact the team as soon as possible.
A Matchmaker Service is available to support those seeking to identify a suitable property or tenant. If you would like more information about this service, email [email protected].
This pot is now fully allocated. We aren't accepting applications for properties within our city centre boundary. See the map showing Belfast city centre boundary.
Please contact us to register an expression of interest in case future funding becomes available. You can also register to receive updates on further funding for the city centre.
If you'd like to speak to us about our Vacant to Vibrant scheme or need more information, email [email protected]. We can arrange a meeting with you in-person, by phone or online.
This map shows Belfast city centre boundary as defined in the Vacant to Vibrant scheme. The city centre boundary runs from the north side of the Westlink towards Nelson Street, cuts across the River Lagan to run behind Odyssey Arena and towards Middlepath Street. The boundary continues across the front of Short Strand, then back towards the River Lagan at Cromac Place, continuing towards McClure Street and Bradbury Place. The boundary crosses through Donegall Road, beyond City Hospital. The boundary runs north again, back towards the Westlink, to include the lower end of Grosvenor Road and follows the Westlink route back towards Peter’s Hill.
You can contact our matchmaker service to get help identifying a suitable property which could qualify for Vacant to Vibrant funding. The service supports property searches in the city centre, although city centre properties are not eligible for funding.
Our Vacant to Vibrant scheme aims to reduce vacancy, address dereliction and support local independent businesses in Belfast. The city centre scheme and citywide scheme are currently closed to applications.
The scheme provides capital grants to incentivise and support property owners and potential occupiers in bringing vacant properties back into use in local neighbourhoods and the city centre.
The scheme also has a matchmaker service to help businesses that are seeking new premises, connect with owners who may have suitable properties available.
We are not accepting Vacant to Vibrant applications for vacant properties in Belfast city centre. This is because all funding for this portion of the scheme has now been allocated.
We approved 48 applicants for a Vacant to Vibrant grant in Belfast city centre. This has created 139 direct employment opportunities, with a further 34 indirect employment opportunities across the supply chain, and reanimated 23 historical buildings or buildings of interest.
There were successful applications by:
These applicants restored vacant properties and transformed the spaces into new premises for their businesses, bringing diversity and vibrancy to Belfast city centre.
Following the success of our scheme in Belfast city centre, we secured £500,000 of capital funding from the Department for Communities and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to extend our scheme to to properties and businesses located in Belfast outside the city centre boundary, prioritising properties with significant frontage in urban centres and along arterial routes.
Due to the high level of interest, we are not currently accepting any new applications to the citywide scheme.
Watch this one minute, 15-second video on how ArtsEkta benefitted from Vacant to Vibrant funding.
Watch this one minute, 10-second video on how Forward South Partnership benefitted from Vacant to Vibrant funding.
Watch this one-minute, 36-second video on how Another World benefitted from Vacant to Vibrant funding.
Watch this one-minute, six-second video on how Michele International Hair and Beauty benefitted from Vacant to Vibrant funding.
Watch this one-minute, 35-second video on how our Vacant to Vibrant capital grant scheme has supported Bodega Bagels to renovate a vacant city centre premises to grow their business.
Watch this two-minute, 22-second video on how the Vacant to Vibrant capital grant scheme supported Verona Bridal to relocate to property that was previously vacant in Belfast city centre.
Watch this one-minute, 16-second long video on how Vacant to Vibrant funding is helping to restore Tedford’s Sail Loft Warehouse.
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