(Image: Newsquest)
Glasgow has launched a £1 million grant scheme to help bring vacant listed buildings back into use, with funding of up to £350,000 available for individual projects.
The Heritage Building Viability Grant Scheme is funded by Glasgow City Council and delivered by Glasgow City Heritage Trust (GCHT). It aims to help owners overcome the cost of essential works needed to make historic properties suitable for reuse.
Grants ranging from £15,000 to £350,000 are available for eligible projects, with funding covering works such as building services, fire safety improvements, internal finishes, professional fees and other adaptations needed to bring vacant spaces back into productive use.
The scheme is now open for applications and is intended to address the financial barriers that can prevent owners from restoring and reusing historic buildings.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, depute leader and convener for housing, development and built heritage at Glasgow City Council, said the scheme would help tackle the costs involved in bringing some properties back into use.
The funding was approved as part of the council’s 2026/27 budget in February, with the City Administration Committee agreeing in March that Glasgow City Heritage Trust would administer the programme.
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Councillor Ruairi Kelly, depute leader and convener for housing, development and built heritage at Glasgow City Council, said: "Glasgow’s listed buildings are among the city's greatest assets, and we want to see them full of life, not standing empty.
"Ending empty property relief has encouraged many owners to bring their buildings back into use.
"But we recognise that for some properties, the cost of the work needed is simply too great.
"We are delighted to be working with Glasgow City Heritage Trust to deliver this new scheme."
Dr Erin Russo, grants manager at Glasgow City Heritage Trust, said: "Too many of the city’s historic buildings sit vacant due to the viability gap.
"This £1 million grant fund is about breaking that deadlock.
"By administering these grants, we can help get these buildings working again for the city, supporting building owners and our historic built environment.
"We would encourage any owner of a vacant listed building in Glasgow to get in touch with our grants team to find out whether their project could be eligible."