Following on from its initial success, Belfast City Council's transformational Vacant to Vibrant scheme will now be extended after securing funding of up to £500,000 from the Department for Communities and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Vacant to Vibrant, which converts vacant properties in the city's centre into new homes for businesses and other organisations, has already transformed 26 premises, with work on six more along Royal Avenue, Fountain Lane and Warehouse Lane set to commence soon.

The scheme will now broaden to include properties citywide and arterial routes into Belfast, as opposed to focusing solely on the city's core.

Grants are also still available for those located within the city centre.

Applications for capital grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 are welcome from interested property owners with vacant premises to let and businesses looking for new locations in local neighbourhoods who are keen to establish or expand their offering in Belfast.

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The grants can be used to support the external and internal works needed to reactivate a space or to help with fitout costs.

Information sessions will also take place on:

• Tuesday, November 26 from 9.30am-12.30pm at Spectrum Centre;

• Tuesday, November 26 from 2pm-4.30pm at Andersonstown Community Forum, Tullymore Community Centre;

• Wednesday, November 27 from 9.30am-12.30pm at North City Business Centre, Duncairn Gardens;

• Wednesday, November 27 from 2pm-5pm at Ashton Centre;

• Thursday, November 28 from 9am-12pm at LORAG;

• Thursday, November 28 from 5.30pm-7.30pm at Eastside Partnership offices.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: "I am delighted that my department has been able to work in partnership with Belfast City Council to co-fund this worthwhile citywide project.

"This is a great example of collaborative working to achieve our shared goals of regenerating neighbourhoods and making a positive and lasting impact within local communities."

For more information and to check eligibility, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/vacanttovibrant

To register for the the grant application process email [email protected].