Owners of empty business properties across Argyll and Bute could now be eligible for a new grant scheme aimed at revitalising vacant commercial spaces.

The Empty Business Property Grant Scheme, recently approved by the council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure committee, targets properties that have been unoccupied for at least six months and have a rateable value exceeding £1,000.

The initiative seeks to support both owners and tenants in carrying out necessary work to return these properties to productive use, fostering economic growth and enhancing the appearance of towns and villages.

This new grant scheme complements the previously extended Empty Property Relief (EPR) Scheme, which was agreed upon by the Policy and Resources Committee last month. Under the EPR scheme, owners of empty business properties may qualify for a discretionary 100% relief extension of up to 12 months, provided they are actively working to reoccupy the premises.

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To facilitate these new measures, Argyll and Bute Council has appointed an Empty Business Property Officer. This officer will be responsible for supporting and streamlining the distribution of funding for both the Extended Empty Property Relief and the new Business Grant Scheme. The anticipated funding for these initiatives for the financial year 2025/26 is estimated to be around £785,000.

Councillor Ross Moreland, the council's Policy Lead for Finance and Commercial Services, underscored the potential impact of the new scheme. "The introduction of this new Empty Business Property Grant Scheme will support the owners and prospective tenants of empty business properties in Argyll and Bute to do the work required to return these to productive use," he stated.

He added: "Not only will this enhance how our towns and villages look, but it will also help to attract economic growth and create job opportunities. This is a great initiative that has the potential to have a huge impact on our communities."