The third round of applications is now open for the ReNew Sheffield business grant scheme.
It offers independent businesses grants of £5,000 to £10,000 for the fit-out costs of vacant commercial properties on Chapel Walk in the city centre.
About the ReNew project
ReNew is part of our successful bid for £15.8 million of funding from the GOV.UK: Future High Street Fund. This national government fund was set up to revitalise and reshape UK high streets.
Supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the University of Sheffield and Sheffield BID, the fund is enabling the delivery of a programme of transformational projects across Fargate and Chapel Walk. This is to regenerate and reinvent the area as a thriving social hub.
You can find out more about this on the Transforming Sheffield City Centre web page.
Restoring Chapel Walk
ReNew contributes to this vision by awarding grants directly to businesses looking to revitalise empty units in the area.
As the renovation on Chapel Walk approaches completion in May 2025, it's now ready to welcome new occupiers alongside the existing, established businesses.
We aim to restore this vibrant, bustling throughfare to its former glory by:
- lowering vacancy rates
- increasing footfall
- creating opportunities for the people of Sheffield
About the grants
This is the third round of ReNew Sheffield funding. We're seeking to award the full £90,000 Chapel Walk grant pot to successful businesses.
The programme is a capital grant scheme. Businesses can apply for funding towards agreed fit-out costs, such as:
- architectural / design fees
- preparing the site for construction works
- checks and surveys
- labour costs
- materials
- renovation and conversion costs, for example plumbing, heating, electrical work, joinery and glazing
- fit-out costs, for example flooring, security, decorating and installation of fixtures
Your business must be able to pay project costs in full and show us valid proof before you receive the agreed grant contribution.
This can be using your own funds, finance from a bank or other commercial finance.
Availability of individual properties
All properties are in private ownership. Applicants should contact the property agents directly to establish:
- availability
- cost
- timescales
- if the intended use is acceptable
Decisions on occupiers is at the sole discretion of the agents / owners in accordance with their standard protocols and terms and conditions.
Eligibility
We're unable to support businesses that have received an award from previous rounds of ReNew grant funding or businesses relocating from elsewhere in the city centre.
For your business to qualify for support, all of the statements below must be true:
- you have an independent business in the retail, leisure, entertainment, recreation, creative, hospitality or food and drink sectors
- your business is not in financial difficulty
- your proposal is for an expansion (additional location) of an existing business, or a new start up
- you can show that your project is financially viable and that grant support is needed to make it happen
- your business has received less than £315,000 of state aid / subsidy (minus the grant amount paid for) over the current and previous two consecutive fiscal years
- you are able to secure a commercial lease on a vacant unit on Chapel Walk and intend to occupy it continuously for at least one year
- your proposed schedule of works and all expenditure will be completed before the end of October 2025
How we assess proposals
When scoring proposals for suitability, we consider the type and nature of ventures to ensure a sustainable and balanced portfolio of projects are taken forward.
If an insufficient number of applicants meet the minimum criteria, we may retain funds for a future call, or to increase the maximum grant amount awarded for exceptional projects.
How to apply
Request an expression of interest (EOI) form and full guidance pack through renewsheffield@sheffield.gov.uk.
EOI forms need to be submitted by email before midnight Tuesday 20 May 2025. Anything received after this date won't be accepted.
What happens next
Expression of Interest submissions will be evaluated against a rigid criteria. This is to determine which have the greatest potential to deliver a sustainable project that will contribute to the wider aspirations of the area.
The highest scoring applicants will be asked to complete a full application form for submission on or before Sunday 22 June 2025.
