New grant scheme to bring vacant shops back to life across Tipperary

Tipperary County Council has approved the draft Vacant Business Property Reopen Grant 2025, a new scheme designed to encourage the reopening of long-vacant commercial properties across the county.

The draft document was adopted at the October meeting of the council. It sets out the purpose, eligibility criteria, and operational details for the grant, which will form part of the local authority’s economic development programme for the year ahead.

The stated objective of the scheme is to support the reoccupation of vacant business premises, promote commercial activity in towns and villages, and help revitalise local economies through the reuse of existing buildings.

According to the document, the Vacant Business Property Reopen Grant 2025 will be available to eligible ratepayers who occupy a property that has been vacant for a defined period of time prior to reopening.

READ NEXT: Several of Tipperary's best walking routes highlighted by national outlet

The grant will provide a financial contribution toward the cost of re-establishing a viable business within the premises.

The draft policy outlines that the scheme applies to commercial properties within County Tipperary that have been unoccupied for a period to be specified by the council.

Applicants must demonstrate that the property was genuinely vacant and that it is now being reoccupied for a qualifying business use.

Businesses that qualify under the scheme must be compliant with local authority rates and any other applicable planning or licensing requirements. Certain categories of use will not qualify, such as non-commercial, residential, or short-term temporary operations. The grant is intended to assist genuine commercial enterprises with the cost of reopening and operating from a previously unoccupied property.

The level of financial support available under the scheme will be determined by the council and may vary depending on the size, type, and location of the property.

The draft framework allows for discretion in assessing applications to ensure that the funding achieves its intended purpose of stimulating local business activity and reducing vacancy levels. The document also sets out the application process.

Prospective applicants will be required to submit a completed form along with evidence of ownership or tenancy, proof of the property’s previous vacancy, and details of the intended business use. The council’s Economic Development and Rates Departments will jointly administer the scheme.

READ NEXT: Roscrea’s Main Street to be transformed in major town centre regeneration project

Applications will be assessed against the published eligibility criteria, and successful applicants will receive payment in accordance with the grant’s terms and conditions. The scheme will be monitored to ensure compliance and to evaluate its impact on vacancy reduction within the county.

The grant builds on previous initiatives operated by Tipperary County Council to support town-centre renewal and local enterprise. It forms part of the council’s broader approach to encouraging investment, sustaining employment, and improving the visual and economic vitality of commercial areas.

The document notes that reducing vacancy and dereliction in business properties is an ongoing priority for the council. The 2025 scheme seeks to address this by providing targeted financial incentives for the reuse of existing buildings rather than new development, thereby supporting the sustainable regeneration of town centres.

The Vacant Business Property Reopen Grant 2025 will be implemented under the guidance of the council’s Economic Development Directorate. Details regarding the opening date for applications, the exact level of grant assistance available, and the operational guidelines will be published once the scheme has been finalised.

Tipperary County Council will make the necessary information and application materials available to the public through its official website and the Local Enterprise Office once the scheme becomes active.

The introduction of the Vacant Business Property Reopen Grant 2025 represents a continuation of the council’s efforts to support business renewal, reduce commercial vacancy, and maintain the economic vibrancy of towns and villages throughout County Tipperary.