Business looking to revitalise eyesore empty units in Glasgow’s Argyle Street, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street will be eligible.
Glasgow City Council is to make a total fund of £200,000 available for charities, businesses and other organisations to help tenants bring abandoned properties in the city centre back into temporary use.
The council also approved a further £200,000 for minor improvements to city centre buildings.
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If judged a success the City Centre Improvement Grant Fund scheme would continue every year and is initially being rolled out as a pilot to find productive uses for the vacant properties.
Pop up shops and temporary leases are among options. The funding is open to businesses, organisations and property owners. Temporary tenants could stay for about six months today’s economy, housing, transport and regeneration city policy committee heard.
Applicants looking for grants to make minor improvements can use the cash for repair work and to improve public spaces among other efforts.
The aim is to increase footfall, cut anti-social behaviour and reduce blight.
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Speaking at the committee, Councillor Graham Cambpell, SNP, voiced concern about organisations being awarded funding on a first come first serve basis.
He pointed out that an equality impact assessment should be done about access to the fund, so that those unfamiliar with council funding weren’t disadvantaged.
A council official said staff had thought carefully about the application process but were unsure about demand so they decided on a first come first serve basis.
She said they are open to introducing deadlines if there is a political desire to do so.
Councillor Angus Millar, SNP, said in some cases with other projects there has not been a rush of applicants coming forward so the council is trying to ensure progress is not delayed because of deadlines.
He said there should be an evaluation if there is a surplus of applications.
Final approval of the City Centre Improvement Grant Fund pilot project is to be decided by the city administration committee in September – with the successful projects evaluated in late 2025.