Commercial Improvement Grant

Who is eligible: 

Businesses and owners of commercial and retail properties throughout the Vale of Glamorgan within town centres, other shopping districts and vacant properties. 

The grant can contribute 70% towards the cost of eligible works up to a maximum grant of £5,000.

What can it fund:  

• Painting of the front elevation (the colour scheme must be agreed in advance with the Council)

• Repair, repointing and cleaning of stonework or render

• Repairs to glazing, doors and shopfronts

• Repair or reinstatement of rainwater goods

• Repairs to original features

• Repair or installation of signage (non-illuminated)

• Powder coating of existing roller shutter doors

• Small scale shop modifications (internal) 

• Improved accessibility (external and internal)

What cannot be funded:  

• Works already being carried out or completed

• Fees for statutory consents, e.g. planning

Frequently Asked Questions:   

• What counts as match funding? How do I evidence this?
  Match funding has to be funding that has been secured already and cannot be speculative.  This could include cash from business reserves, a bank loan, or another grant scheme.  Evidence could be in the form of an award letter from a grant funding scheme or bank, or a bank statement with appropriate cleared funds.
• How much match funding do I need? 
  
  

  You are required to have a total of 30% of your project costs as match funding. 

   

  Example 1: Total project costs £5,000 (70% is £3,500/30%is £1,500)

  • Grant award: £3,500
  • Match funding: £1,500 

  
  

  Example 2: Total project cost £7,150 (70% is £5,005/30% is £2,145)

  • Grant award: £5,000 (maximum)
  • Match funding: £2,150
• When is the grant closing to applications? 
  The grant will be awarded on a first come first served basis.  The grant will close when the funds have been fully allocated or on 5 July 2026, which ever falls first.  All grant money awarded must be fully spent by 20th September 2026. 
• I have submitted an application, when can I start my project? 
  You cannot start your project until you have had it approved and have received a funding letter from us. 
• Can I make more than one application? 
   We accept ONE application per funding round.
• How soon will I hear if my application is successful? 
  Our grant officers aim to review applications within 2 weeks of receipt, if your application is deemed eligible and you have provided all the relevant detail it will be passed to our Panel for approval, if more detail is needed you will be contacted by a grant officer.
• How many quotes do I need? 
  The amount of quotes required will depend on the cost of your project and whether the works are being carried out by one contractor.   Please refer to the table in page 3 of the guidance notes.
• What if the contractor cannot deliver in the timeframe? 
  Please get in touch as soon as possible to tell us about any issues or concerns, we will try and work with you to help you complete your project. 
• Once my project is completed how do I claim my grant reward? 
  You will need to fill in the claim form provided and return this to us with a copy of all relevant invoices and evidence of payment (e.g. bank statement).  You will also need to provide a photograph of your completed project.
• What happens if the original quotes come in higher or lower when invoiced? 
  We would encourage you to get in touch as soon as possible if anything changes.  If the invoice is lower your grant will be reduced accordingly but if your invoice is higher and you did not receive maximum grant we may be able to help.  If you have received the full grant any additional costs will need to be met by yourself.

   

• When will I receive my grant payment?
  The grant payment will usually be made within 10 working days of your claim being received and approved.