Vacant commercial property grant scheme

Grants of £2,500 to £10,000 to help you open new premises.

vacant commercial property grant scheme

Businesses and organisations could apply for funding from £2,500 up to £10,000 to bring a vacant commercial property back into permanent or temporary use.

This grant scheme was closed to new applications on 1 October 2024 as all funds have been allocated.

How to find a property

Our commercial property and land page Go to index.php?Itemid=1097 (opens new window) provides information about council property for sale or let.

To look for property in Bristol on the wider commercial market we recommend using Invest Bristol & Bath's property search website. Go to https://www.bristolandbath.co.uk/property-search/ (opens new window)

This inward investment service is managed by the West of England Combined Authority. The service requires you to register but is free for all users.

Realla Go to https://www.realla.co.uk/search/bristol?ln=Bristol&t=locality&lat=51.454513&lon=-2.58791&zoom=14&st=Bristol%2C+UK&loc=Bristol&al2=Bristol+City&al1=England&c=GB&transaction_type=rent (opens new window)and Estate Gazette's Property Link Go to https://propertylink.estatesgazette.com/commercial-property-for-rent/bristol?filters%5Bto_let_price%5D%5Bcurrency%5D=gbp&filters%5Bto_let_price%5D%5Bfrom%5D=&filters%5Bto_let_price%5D%5Bsize_modifier%5D=sqft&filters%5Bto_let_price%5D%5Bto%5D=&sort_direction=desc&sort_field=created_at&view=grid (opens new window) are good examples of private sector search engine for businesses because they only deal in commercial properties, with no residential listings.

There are lots of other property websites owned by third party, private sector companies. You can find these easily on any search engine.

If you are looking for property in a specific area another effective strategy is to visit the area and find potentially vacant properties yourself.

Once you find a property that looks to be vacant, you'll need to find the details for the landlord or managing agent. You can try asking people in the neighbouring commercial and residential properties if they have these details. Otherwise, you will find details for the owner of the property on the government's land registry website Go to https://www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry (opens new window).

There's a small cost for this service. At the time this information was updated the fee is £3 per property.

Support for businesses from the council

We've created some resources to help you to start or expand your business.

Our starting a new business page Go to index.php?Itemid=1099 (opens new window) provides details of some of the business support available throughout Bristol and links to other council services you may find useful. This page can help both new businesses and existing businesses who are opening new premises.

Our pdf business start-up and development toolkit Go to index.php?option=com_docman&view=document&alias=1102-business-start-up-and-development-tool-kit&category_slug=documents&Itemid=159 (opens new window)(581 KB) offers more detailed information and guidance on many of the aspects businesses should consider when starting or expanding.

If you would like to talk to someone about the different ways the council could support your business, our Business Development Officers can discuss what support may be available to you. Email business@bristol.gov.uk

Meet the successful applicants

We visited some of the people who have already received funding through this grant. See the case studies below to read the interviews between the grant advisor and the business leaders.

Robb Maksimcyzk outside South Central Barbers