Supporting Thriving High Streets for Ards and North Down

This funding aims to support thriving high streets by creating safer and more attractive streetscapes, boosting footfall, and attracting new businesses

Ards and North Down Borough Council has announced details of a new support programme for commercial properties in the borough.

Two funding schemes will help support thriving high streets by creating safer and more attractive streetscapes, boosting footfall, and attracting new businesses.

Glow Up Grant

The Glow Up Grant supports local businesses to improve their shopfront.

Grant funding is available for active businesses in the urban centres of Bangor, Newtownards, Comber, Donaghadee, and Holywood seeking to make shopfront enhancements.

Grants will provide 90% funding up to a maximum amount of £2,500 per property.

Find out more about the Glow Up Grant.

Empty to Energised Grant 

The Empty to Energised Grant provides financial assistance to proprietors of vacant properties to undertake renovations and introduce new commercial uses.

For this initial pilot scheme, property owners in Bangor City and Newtownards Town Centre are asked to complete a questionnaire, where respondents will be invited to participate in one-to-one engagement sessions.

The insights gathered from these activities will be analysed and used to shape the final scheme, which is set to launch in Autumn 2025.

Find out more about the Empty to Energised Grant.

First published 23 June 2025