Funding Your High Street Ambitions
Oswestry Town Council reopens its vacant premises grant, offering up to £5,000 to transform empty shops into thriving local businesses.
This round of funding closes in:
- 00Days
- 00Hours
Oswestry Town Council Launches Vacant Premises Grant: Up to £5,000 to Revitalise Empty Shops
The Oswestry town centre grant initiative has officially returned, with Oswestry Town Council aiming to turn remaining empty spaces into immediate business opportunities. Oswestry high street is already starting from a position of real strength, but this dedicated scheme is a welcome financial boost designed to help ambitious businesses and early-stage start-ups transform vacant town centre properties into thriving commercial spaces.
With up to £5,000 in funding available per applicant, the initiative lowers the financial barriers of setting up shop, drives local investment, and breathes new life into our historic town centre.
What is the Funding?
The scheme provides non-repayable grants of up to £5,000 to offset the initial capital costs of moving into a physical location. Setting up a new brick-and-mortar presence can be expensive, so this funding is explicitly geared towards practical, physical improvements to help you get your doors open.
Eligible expenses include:
Premises Renovation: Internal refurbishment work, flooring, and structural decorating.
Accessibility Improvements: Making your shop floor welcoming, compliant, and practical for all visitors.
Visual Branding: High-quality external signage, shop front enhancements, and branding installations.
Who is Eligible?
The grant is tailored to support both established local companies looking to expand or relocate, and brand-new entrepreneurial start-ups.
To qualify for the funding, your business must meet the following criteria:
Location: The property must be located within the designated town centre area.
Vacancy Period: The retail or commercial unit you intend to take over must have been sitting empty or vacant for more than six months.
Why This Grant Matters for Oswestry
Investing in a physical location is a significant step for any business. This Oswestry town centre grant acts as a practical safety net for early-stage companies, reducing initial overheads so that business owners can focus capital on stock, staff, and marketing.
By intentionally targeting properties that have been empty for over six months, the local authority is directly addressing high street vacancy rates and encouraging a diverse mix of independent retailers, creative spaces, and professional services to set up camp in the heart of our community.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the grant money paid out?
It is crucial to know that this scheme operates on a retrospective basis. You will need to fund the initial capital works yourself, keep all invoices, and provide bank statements showing proof of payment (defrayal) to the council to claim your grant money back. Additionally, any approved capital works must be fully completed within 6 months of the grant being offered.
Can I apply if I have already signed my lease?
Yes, new tenants and owner-occupiers are welcome to apply. However, grant funding cannot be applied retrospectively to building works you have already started or completed before your application is officially approved by the council. The scheme is also strictly for new occupiers; it is not available to a business or landlord who previously occupied the space when it originally became vacant.
What expenses are explicitly excluded from the funding?
While the fund is excellent for physical transformations, you cannot use the money to cover day-to-day operational costs. Excluded expenses include staff salaries, legal or professional fees, business rates, and reclaimable VAT.
How to Apply
Applications for this round of funding are officially open, but you will need to act relatively quickly to get your proposals in order.
The Deadline: All completed applications must be submitted by 21 August.
Where to Start: Full guidance notes, terms, and application forms are managed directly by Oswestry Town Council.
If you have been eyeing up a vacant town centre space to launch your new venture or scale up your existing operation, this grant offers a brilliant opportunity to bridge the funding gap. Get in touch with the Town Council directly to request an application pack and discuss your project goals.
To find out more, or to apply, visit: https://www.oswestry-tc.gov.uk/2026/06/grants-of-up-to-5000-waiting-to-revive-empty-shops/
Share this article:
Latest News
The Story Behind National Ablepreneurs Day
The blueprint for National Ablepreneurs Day did not begin in a modern corporate boardroom. It began nearly a century ago...
Read More
£60M Fund Opens Pathways to Work Innovation Fund This September
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new £60 million Pathways to Work Innovation Fund.
Read More
How Oswestry Entrepreneur Vicki Wilson is Rewriting the Narrative on Disability
The founder of the award-winning virtual assistant business, Vicki Admin Fairy®, Vicki has spent years quietly dismantling stereotypes from her...
Read More