Business and licensing

Join us for a free networking event bringing together local businesses with procurement, commissioning, and public sector partners from across Renfrewshire.

Attend and you'll:

• gain early insight into future opportunities
• meet buyers and commissioners face-to-face
• build valuable business connections
• learn how to access and bid for public sector opportunities.

If your business is based in Renfrewshire, this event is for you.

Come along to connect with procurement leads and speak to commissioning teams from:

• Renfrewshire Council’s procurement, Housing and Regeneration Services
• NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• University of the West of Scotland
• Renfrewshire HSCP
• City Building
• Access tendering advice and business support from Business Gateway, Supplier Development Programme, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, and Federation of Small Businesses.

Register now

The event is free but you'll need to book a place.

Register for the Renfrewshire Local Business Event

How to do Business with Renfrewshire Council: Cyber Requirements

• Location: Online webinar
• Date: Thursday 3 December 2026
• Time: 10:30am to midday.

This session will focus on the cyber security requirements that businesses need to meet when working with Renfrewshire Council and other public sector organisations. 

Whether you’re an existing supplier or looking to bid for future opportunities, you’ll gain valuable insight into procurement processes, buyer expectations, and how tenders are assessed. 

By increasing awareness of procurement processes and cyber security standards, this session will help businesses build confidence, improve market readiness, and position themselves more effectively for public sector opportunities in Renfrewshire and beyond.

Find out more and how to book a place (Supplier Development Programme Scotland website). 

How to do Business with Renfrewshire Council: Community Benefits

• Location: Online webinar
• Date: Tuesday 8 December 2026
• Time: 2pm to 3:30pm

This session will focus on the community benefit requirements that businesses may be expected to deliver when working with Renfrewshire Council. 

Whether you’re an existing supplier or looking to bid for future opportunities, you’ll gain valuable insight into procurement requirements, buyer expectations, and how community benefits are considered as part of the tender evaluation process. 

By increasing awareness of community benefit requirements and broader procurement processes, this session will help businesses strengthen their tendering capability, improve market readiness, and build confidence when bidding for public sector opportunities in Renfrewshire and beyond.

Find out more and how to book a place (Supplier Development Programme Scotland website)

How to do Business with Renfrewshire Council: Preparing a Strong Tender Response

• Location: Online webinar
• Date: Tuesday 19 January 2027
• Time: 2pm to 3:30pm

Using an example Renfrewshire Council tender, participants will gain practical insight into how to respond effectively to tender opportunities, with a step-by-step demonstration of the tendering process. 

The session aims to support businesses in developing their tendering capability and increasing participation in Council procurement opportunities. 

Attendees will gain a greater understanding of procurement requirements, buyer expectations, and tender evaluation processes, helping to improve market readiness and build confidence when bidding for opportunities with Renfrewshire Council and other public sector organisations.

Find out more and how to book a place (Supplier Development Programme Scotland website)

How to do Business with Renfrewshire Council: Quick Quote Guide

• Location: Online webinar
• Date: Tuesday 9 February 2027
• Time: 10:30am to midday

Using a Renfrewshire Council example Quick Quote, participants will gain practical insight into how to prepare and submit responses, with a live demonstration showcasing each stage of the process. 

The session aims to help businesses develop their tendering capability and increase participation in Council procurement opportunities. 

Attendees will gain a greater understanding of procurement requirements, buyer expectations, and evaluation processes, helping to improve market readiness and build confidence when bidding for Quick Quotes and other public sector opportunities with Renfrewshire Council and beyond.

Find out more and how to book a place (Supplier Development Programme Scotland website)

About the conference

On Tuesday 8 September 2026, partners from across the public, private, third and academic sectors came together at Paisley Town Hall for the Renfrewshire Economy Conference 2026. The event provided an opportunity to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping Renfrewshire's future and how we can work together to create a stronger economy, better lives and sustainable public services. 

Through presentations, discussion and interactive table sessions, delegates explored key themes including economic growth, investment, the wellbeing economy, and the key pillars of Community Wealth Building. A clear message throughout the day was that while Renfrewshire has significant strengths and investment opportunities, future prosperity will depend on improving health, participation, productivity and collaboration across sectors. 

The conference also provided an important opportunity for delegates to share ideas, challenges and practical actions through facilitated discussion sessions, helping to shape a shared vision for the Renfrewshire we want to build. 

Key speakers

The conference featured presentations from:

• Andrew Robertson, Glasgow City Region, who provided an overview of the economic and fiscal outlook for Scotland and the wider region
• Alasdair Morrison, Renfrewshire Council, who highlighted the scale of investment activity across Renfrewshire and the opportunities this presents for businesses, communities and residents
• Professor Gerry McCartney, University of Glasgow, who explored the links between economic systems, health inequalities, wellbeing and demand for public services
• Ruth Cooper, Renfrewshire Council, who outlined a vision for "The Renfrewshire We Want to Build" and demonstrated how Community Wealth Building can create greater local value through the decisions organisations make every day.

Conference report, presentations and delegate pack

Presentation slides from each speaker, alongside feedback from the table discussions, are available. Together they provide further insight into the themes, ideas and opportunities discussed throughout the day.

We encourage you to explore the materials and consider how your organisation can contribute to building a stronger, fairer and more resilient Renfrewshire economy.

Our contracts register

We aim to provide transparency and support a competitive supplier market by making our contract information easily accessible.

Our Contracts Register, published on Public Contracts Scotland in line with the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, outlines all live regulated contracts with a value of more than £50,000.

Standing orders in relation to contracts

Our Standing Orders in Relation to Contracts are made under Section 81 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973 and apply to all contracts let by or on behalf of the Council.

These standing orders include information on procedures, governance, exemptions, and variations to contracts.

Monitoring compliance and delivery

We regularly monitor suppliers, contractors, and businesses working with us to assess your compliance and delivery of:

• minimum requirements of the contract, such as insurances or licences
• adherence to key deliverables and milestones
• compliance with terms and conditions
• community benefits
• sustainability commitments
• benefits and saving opportunities
• innovation.

Contract and supplier management

Our contract and supplier management strategy sets a foundation for the implementation of a consistent approach to supplier and contract management across service areas and commodities, to drive value from new and existing contracts. 

As well as implementing consistent cross-service processes for supplier and contract management, we aim to improve existing supplier relationships through increased effective engagement, at the same time supporting local businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Corporate Procurement Strategy

We prepare and publish an annual procurement strategy - which is required from any public organisation with an estimated total value of regulated procurement spend of £5 million or more (excluding VAT) in a financial year, in accordance with Section 15 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.

The strategy shows how procurement in Renfrewshire plays a fundamental role in supporting the delivery of the Council's strategic objectives.

Annual procurement reports

We prepare and publish an annual procurement report – which is required by any contracting authority on their regulated procurement activities as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of their financial year, in accordance with Section 18 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.

Our procurement governance and compliance includes the register of our contracts; standing orders in relation to contracts; contract and supplier management; how we monitor compliance and delivery; our current strategy; annual procurement reports and team contact details.

Christine McCourt, Head of Finance and Procurement

Christine leads the Corporate Procurement Unit. 

Jenny Bowles, Corporate Procurement Manager 

Jenny manages the procurement team, contractual arrangements, and strategic use of procurement. She supports the Council’s financial, community, economic, social, and environmental objectives.

Email: jenny.bowles@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Laura Gillan, Procurement Manager for Construction

Laura manages the procurement of goods, works, and services for housing including housing regeneration and renewal, regeneration, events, and the Council’s property services. 

Email: laura.gillan@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Alexandra Donaldson, Procurement Manager for Adult Services, Children's Services, Chief Executive, Finance and Resources, and leisure services

Alexandra manages the procurement of third-party goods and services across social work and education, corporate services, and leisure services.

Email: alexandra.donaldson@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Graeme Beattie, Procurement Manager for Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure

Graeme manages the procurement of lighting, place and assets, street scene, waste services, transport and roads, and Soft and Hard Facilities Management.

Email: graeme.beattie@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Rebecca Park , Procurement Manager for the Learning Estate Programme

Rebecca manages procurement across Renfrewshire’s learning estate,  Glasgow City Region City Deal projects, and other cultural infrastructure programmes

Email: Rebecca.park@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

Rachel Davison, Digital Procurement Manager

Rachel manages procurement for Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT).

Email: rachel.davison@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Andrew Kane, Procure to Pay (P2P) Manager

Andrew is responsible for the Purchase to Pay (P2P) systems and processes.

If you’re a supplier for Renfrewshire Council, you must include a valid PO number on all your invoices. 

We will not pay invoices from external suppliers for goods, works, or services if it does not clearly state a valid Purchase Order (PO) number. If the invoice does not have a PO number, it’ll be rejected and returned to you unpaid. 

It applies to all suppliers who we order goods, works, or services from, unless your order is exempt from having a purchase order.

Purchase order (PO) exemptions

Certain payments do not need a purchase order, like rent, some legal settlements, and grant payments, and those paid with purchasing cards.

These include:

• property rent
• property rates
• property service charges
• planning applications
• stamp duty land returns
• VAT payments
• cashflow payments
• payroll payments
• legal settlements
• foreign payments
• land transactions
• payments to Scottish Court & Tribunal Services
• grant payments
• utility services
• urgent or emergency payments
• election related payments with unique tax implications
• payments made by purchasing cards, where purchases are made in accordance with the Purchasing Card Policy
• payments to suppliers who physically cannot add a PO Number to an invoice
• alternative payment arrangements detailed within applicable contract terms and conditions 
• orders that cannot be placed through the council’s ERP Business World system (such as property repairs and orders placed via WorkHub or CAMIS) 
• payments that are not within scope of the No Purchase Order No Pay Policy

Any exemptions must be approved by our Corporate Procurement Manager. 

We keep a record of all exemptions and review it every year.

There is a separate process if you’re an individual who needs to pay for a service we’ve provided to you (sundry income).

Check the purchase order (PO)

We’ll send you a purchase order (PO) with a unique PO number through one of our approved electronic ordering systems, with our request for goods, works, or services.

If this is not possible, we’ll email you the purchase order. However, this must be approved by our Corporate Procurement Manager.

The format of the PO number will depend on the system we issue purchase orders from, but it’ll look like this:

• 9-digit reference number starting with 2 or 6 or WH
• 7-digit reference number starting with DO or CAM or SFM
• 6-digit reference number starting with PS.

If you do not have a purchase order (PO) number

Do not accept an order for goods, services, or works from us unless we provide you with an official purchase order with a PO number.

We will not pay invoices if we do not have a valid PO number.

Contact the council officer who made the request if:

• your purchase order does not have a valid PO number
• you do not have a copy of the official purchase order
• you have a PO number but not a purchase order.

Ask them to provide you with: 

• an official purchase order
• a valid PO number.

The purchase order should state where to send the invoice. If you send the invoice by any other means, we cannot process it and we will not be able to pay you. 

If the invoice does not say where or who to send it to, contact the council officer who made the request and ask them to send you instructions on submitting your invoice.

We scan and process invoices using optical character recognition (OCR) software. 

When you submit an invoice to us, make sure: 

• there’s only one attachment per email - If you’re submitting an invoice with supporting documentation, these must be combined into a single file before you send it to us
• the invoice is electronically typed in Word or PDF – we cannot accept other formats or file types
• each attachment has a unique file name
• you do not apply security restrictions to the attached file.

What the invoice must include

All invoices you send to us must contain:

• a valid PO number
• the word 'invoice' or 'credit'
• an invoice number and supplier details, including company name, address, contact details
• clear and separate lines describing the goods, works, or services provided
• each line must include a line number, item number, quantity, and unit price
• the name of your contact at Renfrewshire Council
• any other unique reference numbers or information that we have provided
• the total gross amount owed, the VAT rate and amount (if applicable), and net amount
• a VAT registration number (where applicable).

If you’re a HMRC tax-deductible supplier, you must detail the split between labour and materials.

Send your request for payment to invoices.prop2p@renfrewshire.gov.uk for:

• invoices with a 9-digit reference number starting with 2 or 6
• invoices on the PO exemptions list

Send your request for payment to invoices.finit@renfrewshire.gov.uk for:

• invoices with a 9-digit reference number starting with WH
• invoices with a 7-digit reference number starting with DO, CAM, or SFM
• invoices with a 6-digit reference number starting with PS
• credit notes with a PO number.

If the credit note is exempt from having a PO number, send it to the council officer who requested the goods, works, or services.

Send statements to creditors@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

If you have any queries about invoices, contact us at creditors@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

Before we can pay your invoice, we’ll complete a 'goods receipt' or validate the invoice on our purchasing system to confirm we have received the goods, works, or services from you. 

If you submit your invoice and it does not include the minimum required information, including a valid PO number, we’ll have to return it to you before we can pay it.

You’ll receive an email advising you what you need to do next.

For example, you may need to amend your invoice to state a clear, visible and valid PO number and send it to us again. Or we may advise you to contact the relevant council officer to amend your invoice and resubmit it.

Payment terms and conditions

We’ll pay all valid invoices within 30 days after receipt in compliance with our No PO No Pay policy, unless we’ve contractually committed to other terms of payment. 

We reserve the right to withhold payment if goods, works, or services have not been provided in accordance with the contract.

We expect suppliers to pay any sub-contractors promptly, within 30 days of them providing the goods, works, or services.

If your details are not correct 

Contact us at creditors@renfrewshire.gov.uk if you need to change your details including: 

• company name
• address
• contact details
• VAT registration number
• payment details.

Your account contact at the Council must formally authorise changes to your contact details before we can update your records. 

This in accordance with our:

• privacy policy
• counter fraud and corruption policy.

More information 

If you have any queries about invoices, contact us at creditors@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

All our current tenders for goods, works, and services are advertised on the Public Contracts Scotland website

If you want to bid for contracts with Renfrewshire Council, you’ll need to be registered as a supplier with Public Contracts Scotland.

You can then view tenders, submit a bid, and receive notifications on bids through the website.

Each tender listed there will specify:

• what information we need from you
• how to send it to us 
• how we evaluate your bid.

We need to check that your business has the ability, resources, and experience to deliver the contract you are bidding for. 

As part of your bid, we may need evidence that your business meets the minimum requirements of the contract such as:

• financial information, including insurance documents and accounting records
• equality and diversity policies
• sustainability information
• health and safety details
• evidence of relevant experience and skills
• cyber security credentials.

If you meet these minimum requirements, you can compete for council contracts.

We do not choose suppliers based on price alone. We are looking for the best balance of quality and price to deliver value of money for our residents in Renfrewshire.

Register as a supplier

Before you bid for a contract, you must be registered as a supplier with Public Contracts Scotland.

Once you have registered you can:

• search for contract opportunities over £25,000
• get alerts about new opportunities
• submit bids.

Explain how you’ll deliver the contract

As part of the tender process, you’ll need to provide information demonstrating how you’ll deliver the contract.  

Each tender document has full details on how we’ll score your bid.

We’ll evaluate your submission in line with the award criteria set out in the tender documentation.  

The evaluation may include: 

• methodology and approach
• technical capability
• customer support and after sales service
• delivery plan and timescales
• quality assurance and performance management
• risk management
• community benefits
• Fair Work First principles - see the Fair Work First guidance on the Scottish Government website.
• innovation.

You should make sure your responses clearly address the areas required and provide sufficient details to support a robust evaluation by us.

Along with your submission, we may ask you to: 

• attend a meeting
• give a presentation
• demonstrate your product or services.

We may also carry out site visits.

We’ll outline the details of these in the tender documents if we require them. 

Maximise your chance of success

To maximise your chance of success, you should clearly demonstrate how you’ll deliver a high-quality service at a competitive price.

You should:

• respond to all questions and follow the required structure
• demonstrate how you’ll meet all specified standards
• tailor your response to align with our policies and ambitions
• adhere strictly to any word or page limits
• make sure your price is realistic, competitive, and sustainable.

We recommend you raise queries on the Public Contracts Scotland tendering system if you’re uncertain about any elements of the tender, rather than making assumptions. 

If you’re interested in an opportunity, submit an Expression of Interest through the Public Contracts Scotland website

You’ll then get access to the tender listing where you’ll find instructions on how to access the tender documents, including:

• an explanation of the procurement process
• information on the award criteria and how submissions are scored
• specifications detailing the council’s requirements
• the contract terms and conditions.

You must submit your bid before the deadline stated on the tender listing. We cannot accept late submissions.

We’ll notify you if your bid has been successful or not.

We’ll specify our response times in the tender notice.

If your bid is successful

If your bid is successful and you’re awarded a contract with the Council, we expect you to deliver it in accordance with the requirements set out in the contract.

It’s free to register, view notices, and respond to tenders on the Public Contracts Scotland website.

The grant can help businesses move into empty, ground-floor commercial premises in town centres across Renfrewshire, including:

• Paisley
• Johnstone
• Renfrew
• Linwood
• Erskine.

You could get a grant of up to 50% of your project costs.

The maximum amount is £25,000.

Who can apply 

You can apply for the grant if you:

• are a small-to-medium sized business (you have less than 250 employees worldwide)
• are a full-time business with a business bank account
• will operate from a previously vacant ground floor town centre commercial property in Paisley, Renfrew, Johnstone, Linwood or Erskine
• have or will take out a lease of at least 36 months (3 full years) on the premises
• are the only business named on the lease or rental agreement
• have a current lease for another property and will continue to trade from there for at least 2 years after you start trading from your new property
• offer a product or service that's different or not available already in the area.
• will use a property that has been empty for at least 6 months and meets the criteria for Fresh Start Relief.

You can be an established business, have just started your business or be about to start a business.

Who cannot apply

You can't apply if:

• you're a community group, voluntary group or charitable organisation
• you're in debt to the Council
• your business is bankrupt or in liquidation.

See what funding and grants are available for charities, social enterprises, community and voluntary groups.

The following types of businesses are excluded from applying:

• multi-level marketing or pyramid selling businesses
• franchises where the franchiser has control over the business decisions
• betting shops
• pawnbrokers
• beauty industry businesses, such as nail bars, aesthetics clinics, hairdressers, or barbers
• amusement or gaming arcades
• tobacconists or vape shops
• most fast-food and dessert outlets
• convenience stores
• shops that offer adult or sexual content
• businesses or activities for political, religious or charitable purposes.

What you can use the grant for

You can use the grant for:

• improving the premises
• fixtures, fittings, or equipment
• security equipment and installation
• business stationery
• advertising and marketing
• rent
• planning permission or building regulation fees
• insurance premiums.

What you cannot use the grant for

You cannot use the grant for:

• buying vehicles
• employee wages
• utility bills.

If you've seen an empty town centre property you'd like to use for your business, get in touch with us.

Or if you haven't got a specific property in mind, we can help you find a suitable place for your business.

To be eligible, properties must be considered long-term vacant (empty for a continuous period of least 6 months) and meets the criteria for Fresh Start Relief.

If we match you with a suitable premises and your business is eligible for the grant, you can start the formal grant application process.

You'll need to complete an application form and provide us with:

• recent annual accounts if you're an established business
• an up-to-date business plan
• at least two years' financial forecasts - such as profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow forecast
• the quotes for what you will use the grant for. 

When we receive all your paperwork, we'll arrange a meeting with you to discuss your application. 

We'll let you know within 2 weeks if your application was successful. If it is, we'll make a formal grant offer to you.

The grant is discretionary, and we reserve the right to decline applications that don't meet the grant objectives. Our decision is final and is not subject to appeal. 

Conditions of the grant

The grant is intended to support your business to trade from a new property. It's not intended to be the main source of funding for your new venture.

You should not begin your project until we have approved your grant. We cannot award the grant for works or expenses you've paid for before we've approved your grant application.

You must pay approved expenses through your business bank account and have supplier invoices to support this. You cannot claim expenses for cash payments to suppliers.

We'll give you the grant when your payments for expenses and suppliers have been completed.

The Retail Improvement Scheme (RIS) is a grant that you can apply for to repair, improve, upgrade, or restore the front of your shop, business, or commercial premises in Renfrewshire.

Improvements to your shop front or premises will benefit both your business and the area where it's located.

You can apply for the grant if:

• you are the owner or leaseholder of a business or commercial premises
• your business or premises is in a retail area or a town centre in Renfrewshire.

Types of businesses or premises include:

• shops
• hairdressers and beauty salons
• cafes
• restaurants
• public houses
• professional or financial services
• tourism and leisure facilities.

You usually can't apply for the grant if:

• your business forms part of a chain - it has three or more outlets
• your business turnover was more than £1m in the previous tax year
• you previously got an RIS grant from us for the same property in the last 3 years
• the property can't be accessed directly from public roads, streets, or ways
• you have an unpaid or outstanding debt with the Council.

However, we will consider each application on an individual basis.

Grants are generally for ground floor improvements only.

You can use the grant for:

• installing a new fascia
• new signage and lighting
• repainting the outside of your premises
• refurbishment or replacement of the shop or building frontage
• security grilles or shutters
• front of sales areas near the entrance or behind the front windows - we will assess each application for this individually.

What you cannot use the grant for

You cannot use the grant for:

• works you've already started or finished
• solid roller shutters or those with projecting external mechanisms
• moveable items - for example, stock, motor vehicles, furniture
• trade fittings like pipes, plumbing or utilities
• most internal work, for example, plastering internal walls, installing or upgrading a kitchen
• roof repairs
• paying VAT on any works or project
• fees for any necessary statutory consents.

Using the grant for roller shutters

If you've applied for a grant to install or upgrade roller shutters, we will recommend one of the following: 

We use a scoring system to assess which kind of shutter or glazing is most appropriate for your premises.  

You can't use the grant to install solid shutters or shutters with projecting external mechanisms.

If you already have these kinds of shutters, you can use the grant to upgrade to one of the types of shutters listed above. 

How much you could get

The grant could be up to 70% of the cost of improvements, depending on the size and scale of the work, and the benefits of making the improvements. 

The amount awarded is a minimum of £1,000 up to £12,000. We don't usually award more than this.

You should contact us before you apply to discuss your ideas for the property. We'll give you guidance on eligibility, what supporting information you need and how long it will take to process your application. 

You should have a clear idea of the extent of works to be undertaken and the likely cost, either from estimates or professional advice. 

Email us with your ideas or questions at ris@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

We can arrange a site visit to your premises to discuss your proposal for the grant.

When you are ready to apply online, you will need to include:

• plans or scaled drawings
• current photos of the premises, shop front  or building detail
• at least 3 itemised quotes for each piece of work
• evidence of who owns the property
• any required planning permissions and consents

Plans and scaled drawings

You'll need to submit plans or scaled drawings with your grant application. 

Your drawings:

• must be to scale and show elevation frontage and a cross-section of the property
• should show the building as it is and how it will look after the proposed work is done
• must make clear what work will be done and they correspond to the specification of works and quotes for the work.

If you need help with your drawings, you can get an architect or a shopfront contractor to design them for you.

Photos

We'll need current photos of the premises, shop front  or building detail. If you are using a camera enabled device (such as a phone or tablet), you can use the camera to take pictures of your evidence.

Planning and building consent

When you apply for the scheme, you will need to provide written confirmation that any planning permission or building consents have been granted, or if they are not required. 

Before you start any works on your premises or shop front, you should consider if your project:

• needs planning permission or advertisement consent
• needs a building warrant
• is in a listed building (Historic Environment Scotland website) and needs listed building consent
• is in one of Renfrewshire’s conservation areas.

Contact the:

• Development Management team for advice about planning and advertising consent at dc@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 0144
• Building Standards team about building standards and listed buildings advice at bc@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 0144.

You can apply for the grant even if your planning permission application is in progress.

See the guidance on: 

• displaying advertisements and signage
• altering historic shopfronts and signs on the Historic Environment Scotland website.

Quotes for costs

For each type of work, you'll need three itemised quotes for each type of work. This could be sign replacement, shutter installation or restoration of building details for example. 

You might find it useful to prepare a scope of works for potential contractors when you are asking them for quotes.

Make sure your quotes are from legitimate contractors or suppliers. Where possible, get quotes from local contractors based in Renfrewshire.

Ownership or leaseholder information

You must include evidence of who owns the property, or a formal lease, with your application.

If you lease the property, you must also have written consent from the owner to do the proposed works.

Data protection

We need to collect certain information to process your grant application and to contact you about it. 

See our privacy policy on how we use your data and your rights.

You can apply online for the Retail Improvement Scheme (RIS) grant from Tuesday 4 August 2026.

Apply for an RIS grant

If you can't apply by the closing date, contact us at ris@renfrewshire.gov.uk if you would like to be considered for the next round. 

We’ll let you know by email when you can apply for the next round of grants. 

Applications for the Retail Improvement Scheme (RIS) closed on Tuesday 1 September 2026.

If you did not apply by the closing date, contact us at ris@renfrewshire.gov.uk if you would like to be considered for the next round of grants. We'll let you know by email when you can apply again.

If you've applied by the closing date of Tuesday 1 September 2026, we'll review your application and let you know our decision by email. 

You'll hear from us within several weeks of the closing date.

We'll consider your application based equally on the impact it will have and the quality of the proposed works. 

The impact includes:

• the streetscape - if it will have a positive impact on the surrounding properties
• the status of the building - if the property is occupied or vacant and how long it's been vacant
• location - if the property in an established retail area
• how prominent it is - if it is visible from a civic space, if it's a corner unit, or it's of historical importance
• if you have asked local contractors for quotes.

The quality is based on:

• the quality and standard of the design
• the scale - if the proportions are appropriate to the building and surrounds
• any features of interest or character that will be retained, restored, or included
• the appearance, choice of materials, and colours
• how the shop or building security will be arranged or improved.

Provisional approval

If we approve your application on principle, we'll make a provisional offer setting out the conditions of the grant and the potential amount of money you could get.

Conditions of the grant

We can't award the grant until you've met all the conditions of the offer.

You must make sure you have:

• all the relevant planning permissions or building consent, in line with the approved grant scheme
• enough money to be able to pay contractors in full before they start any work.

Payment of the grant

We will pay the grant when the works have been completed to a satisfactory standard, following an inspection by us, and you have sent us:

• proof of payment to the contractor by bank or building society transfer (BACS)
• the receipted invoice from the contractor or contractors doing the work
• evidence of all necessary planning permissions or building consent, or written confirmation that these are not needed.

We'll make the payments to your nominated bank or building society account. 

We can't award the grant for cash payments to suppliers or contractors. 

If you're using internet banking, make sure this information from your online bank statement is clearly identifiable on every page: 

• name of your bank
• your name
• your bank account number and sort code
• the debit, credit, and balance columns
• name of the supplier, or suppliers, and the amounts paid to them
• the footer showing the web page.

We can only accept proof of original receipts or statements. We cannot accept screenshots.

You can scan and send us your:

• original receipts
• print outs of your bank statements.

If we have all the relevant information with your completed application for payment, we aim to pay you within 28 days of receiving your application. 

Interim payments

We can only make up to two interim payments of the grant.

You'll need to provide us with proof of payment, invoices and any required planning permission outlined above for each for interim payment request.

If you need to make an interim payment towards materials for the work, we may be able to give you up to 25% of the cost of the materials. 

Any other interim payments can only be paid towards work done on the site. This will not be more than 90% of the remaining amount of your grant. 

If you need a building warrant for the work, we will pay the final 10% of the grant when we get a completion certificate from you.

When the work is completed

Your project must be completed: 

• to what was agreed when you were awarded the grant
• with any statutory consents that were required for the work. 

You'll also need to provide us with evidence that the contractor or contractors have been invoiced and paid, as set out in the payment of the grant.

You must send us the receipts for this work as set out in the terms and conditions of the grant.

If you have any delays or difficulties sending us evidence of completion, let us know at ris@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

How it works

1. Visit the Town and City Gift Cards website
2. Select a purchase type, gift card value and card type
3. Send the gift card to the person you want to treat or reward.

You can also buy a gift card or pick one up to load later at:
Paisley First
1 County Place
Paisley
PA1 1BN

Where to spend your gift card

150 businesses across Renfrewshire currently accept the Renfrewshire Gift Card.

It can be used for:

• shopping
• food and drink
• health and beauty
• leisure and attractions
• services.

View a map and list of all retailers on the Town and City Gift Cards website.

Add your business

Businesses interested in accepting the gift card can sign up on the Town and City Gift Cards website.
 

Spend Local toolkit for businesses

Renfrewshire is home to many fantastic businesses. We can all support them by choosing to spend local.

Around 70p from every pound spent local, stays local.

Print and display a poster, a set of flyers or window/door stickers. We've set these up so you can print in your own premises.

It’s a gift card you can spend with 150 businesses across Renfrewshire.

You can buy a physical card or an e-card, choose a gift card value and then share the gift card with someone you want to treat.

You can buy as an individual and treat friends or family; or you can buy as a business and use for corporate gifting or rewarding.