Landlords and tenants of larger or long-term vacant commercial units can now apply for a higher level of funding, up to £70,000, through the Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme.
Aberdeen City Council Co-leader, Councillor Ian Yuill, said: “The empty shops scheme has been an asset in attracting businesses to our city centre.
“The increased funding to help businesses reoccupy empty units is very welcome."
Councillor Alex McLellan, Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, added: “I would like to encourage any interested businesses to consider this scheme to see how it can benefit their presence in the city centre.
“We are committed to investing in Union Street, and our wider city centre, for the benefit of all our citizens.”
An additional investment of £500,000 has been made to the existing £1million fund to allow for an enhanced award to help bring larger, and long-term vacant units back into use in the city centre.
The Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme, first launched in 2023, offers awards of up to 50% of project costs towards eligible internal works for vacant shops on Union Street to help new businesses and tenants get started.
The main objectives of the scheme are to:
- Reduce vacant shops on Union Street by supporting works needed to set up spaces for new uses. This can include retail, cultural, hospitality, or office space.
- Leverage private investment in vacant shops on Union Street to bring them back into use.
- Support new business start-ups and entrepreneurs on Union Street, and create new employment opportunities.
The enhanced award is available as a pilot initiative in 2026/27 for units larger than 3,000 sq ft, or that have been unoccupied for more than three years, where increased renovation costs and alignment with Scheme strategy can be demonstrated.
Interested applicants can download an application form at https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/Council-Services/business-and-investment/union-street-empty-shops-grant-scheme. Applicants for the enhanced award must meet all of the standard scheme criteria and follow the same application process.