Belfast City Council has announced the successful conclusion of its £1 million 'Vacant to Vibrant' city centre scheme, which has helped revitalise numerous empty properties and generated a significant return on investment.

Launched in 2022, the initiative aimed to incentivise the take-up of vacant units. The council's investment has resulted in over £3.5 million in rates income – a return of nearly £4 for every £1 allocated in grants.

While funding for the city centre scheme has now been fully allocated and that specific stream is closed, the council is actively inviting applications for its ongoing citywide 'Vacant to Vibrant' programme.

A diverse range of businesses and organisations benefited from the city centre scheme, including Another World, ArtsEkta, Bodega Bagels, Golden Thread Gallery, High Society, Michele International Hairdressing, Neighbourhood Café, Sloan's Gym, Vault Artist Studios, and Verona Bridal.

Of the 48 grants awarded under the city centre initiative, 23 have contributed to the regeneration of historic buildings or buildings of particular interest. For instance, Round House Bakery is using its funding to establish an artisan bakery and pizzeria in Cathedral Buildings, a unit that was severely damaged by fire three years ago.

The businesses supported by the scheme generated £23 million in sales over its lifespan. Furthermore, 'Vacant to Vibrant' created 139 direct jobs and an additional 34 indirect employment opportunities within the supply chain.

Councillor Sam Nelson, Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, praised the scheme's impact. “Vacant to Vibrant has been such a success in the city centre, helping to strengthen Belfast's attractiveness as a place to visit, live and invest – boosting footfall, rates income, employment and business income," he said. "And I think that success is thanks to a combination of the applicants' energy, vision and hard work, along with the wrap around support we've provided to help them develop business plans, marketing, and of course linking them with suitable units. We're now seeking additional investment to allow us to extend the Vacant to Vibrant city centre scheme.”

Neal Campbell, General Manager of Vault Artist Studios, which secured £25,000 for Spencer House, commented: “We're delighted to secure £25,000 Vacant to Vibrant funding for Spencer House as the first phase of our fundraising towards taking on this iconic and historic city centre building. Vault is passionate about advocating for the importance of arts and culture within sustainable regeneration, and we're very excited to do this in the heart of the city centre on Royal Avenue, where we can facilitate new conversations about how we reimagine and reactivate Belfast's heritage buildings."

He added, "We thank Belfast City Council for its support and we're hopeful that we can now press on and secure the additional funding that will be needed to bring Spencer House back to life, as a new home for over 30 multidisciplinary artists."

The success of the city centre scheme is now being replicated across the wider city. To date, the citywide programme has awarded £195,000 to nine applicants, generating nearly £370,000 in rates and creating 33 direct jobs, with a further 10 indirect employment opportunities. Recent examples include Forward South Partnership developing a new community hub on the Lisburn Road and Charlie's Pizza Belfast opening a restaurant on the Ormeau Road, both in long-term vacant properties.

Applications for the citywide 'Vacant to Vibrant' scheme, offering grants between £2,500 and £25,000, are currently being accepted. Business start-ups, independent retailers, social enterprises, cultural and voluntary organisations, and property owners seeking to transform vacant premises are encouraged to apply. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the allocated funding is exhausted.