Grant

The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) supports locally developed place-based regeneration projects that involve local communities.

The funding helps to tackle inequalities and deliver inclusive growth in deprived, disadvantaged, and remote communities across Scotland.

The RCGF is currently closed. However, we’re accepting expressions of interest from local community groups and third-sector organisations who are interested in future funding rounds, if the fund opens again.

The guidance below is based on the criteria of previous rounds of the RCGF, so it may change for future rounds.

Local community groups and third-sector organisations who have capital projects which can start or have contracts in place during the 2027 to 2028 financial year can submit an expression of interest.

The fund is a capital expenditure fund. Capital funding can be used to purchase, build, or upgrade fixed assets such as land and buildings.

While the fund is not intended for projects that solely focus on housing, it can support unlocking vacant and derelict land or buildings for future housing development where it forms part of a wider place-based community regeneration project or programme.

Examples of projects

Previously funded projects have:

• supported or created jobs
• refurbished and brought back into use historic and landmark buildings
• created business spaces
• supported community facilities and services across Scotland.

What you cannot use the funding for

You cannot use it for feasibility studies, early design costs, or future running costs. 

It is not a primary source of funding for:

• major infrastructure projects relating to transport
• purchase of moveable infrastructure, such as furniture and fittings
• projects relating solely to hotel or retail developments
• projects that focus solely on public realm improvements or new or upgraded roads and paths – however, these may be eligible if they are elements within a wider regeneration project which will produce economic and social outcomes
• flood protection works or upgrades.

You can apply for up to 100% of project costs. There’s no set minimum amount.

Previous Renfrewshire-based projects have been awarded RCGF grants from £150,000 to £1,000,000. 

However, projects that demonstrate match funding are more likely to be considered for RCGF funding. 

Outcomes and priorities

You’ll need to demonstrate that your project:

• fits with the aims and objectives of the fund
• has clear regeneration outcomes in line with the Scottish Government’s Achieving a Sustainable Future strategy and local area regeneration plans

Local regeneration plans include:

• the Renfrewshire Development Plan
• Our Renfrewshire Community Plan
• Renfrewshire's Economic Strategy
• Renfrewshire's Plan for Net Zero
• Renfrewshire’s Centre Strategies.

The priorities of your project should:

• primarily focus on areas that have high levels of deprivation and disadvantage
• demonstrate clear community involvement
• deliver large scale transformational change with strong regeneration outcomes
• encourage additional investment and address market failure
• help achieve net-zero targets
• demonstrate deliverability – your designs and plans should be advanced, with a design team, delivery programme, clearly defined timescales, and a cost plan in place.

Expression of interest

On the expression of interest form, you’ll need to tell us:

• if you meet the eligibility for the funding
• your details and contact information
• details about your project including aims, community involvement, benefits, and net-zero targets
• how much funding you’re applying for
• how much your project will cost
• details of any match funding
• details of design work or required consents
• any relevant documents such as evidence of tenure, project plans or drawings, feasibility studies, business plans, or photographs.

Complete and submit an expression of interest online:

Submit an expression of interest

There is currently no deadline for submitting expressions of interest. 

However, this may change if there are any announcements about the RCGF fund from the Scottish Government.

We’ll evaluate and score all expressions of interest and will let you know of the outcome within 4 weeks. 

Stage 1 bids

If your expression of interest meets the eligibility criteria and is agreed by the Council’s Corporate Management Team (CMT), we’ll recommend you prepare a Stage 1 bid, and we’ll submit it to the Scottish Government for you. 

You cannot apply directly to the fund.

Stage 2 bids

If your Stage 1 bid is successful, the Scottish Government will invite you to submit a full Stage 2 application.

While we can offer advice, we do not have the resources available to help you complete a Stage 1 or Stage 2 application. 

Therefore, you should consider if your group or organisation will have the administrative capacity to complete a Stage 1 or Stage 2 application before you submit an expression of interest.

If you’re awarded funding

If your project is recommended for and offered funding, you must use it within the next financial year. 

You cannot carry it over to the following financial year. The grant offer may be withdrawn if the timescales are not met.

If you have a project that you think is eligible for the fund and would like to discuss it before you submit an expression of interest, email us at renegenationandplace@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

Find out more about the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) (GOV.SCOT website).

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a weekly payment of £30, paid directly to young people aged 16 to 19 who continue in full-time education at school.

You'll need to apply for EMA each academic year.

You can get EMA if you're aged between 16 and 19 and are continuing your education at school.

You can apply for EMA if:

• you go to a school in the Renfrewshire area
• your household earns less than the income thresholds set by the Scottish Government, listed below
• your course is at least 21 hours of guided learning per week
• you agree and sign a valid learning agreement with your school.

A learning agreement sets out what's expected of you around attendance and coursework.

You can find out more about learning agreements in the ‘After you apply’ section below.

Household income

We look at the income of your parents or carers who live with you when awarding EMA.

To qualify for EMA, your household income must be no more than: 

• £24,421 per year before tax, if there’s 1 dependent child in full time education
• £26,884 per year before tax, if there’s more than 1 dependent child in full time education.

For EMA applications for the 2026 to 2027 school year, we'll assess your parents' or carers' household income for the previous financial year (April 2025 to April 2026).

EMA and benefits

EMAs will not affect any Tax Credit or other benefit payments your family receives from the government.

It will not affect any money you earn from a part-time job either.

Who cannot get EMA

You cannot get EMA if:

• you're under the age of 16
• you’re over the age of 19
• you have left school and are attending college – you should apply directly to the college for EMA.

If your application is approved and you’re awarded EMA, you'll get an EMA payment of £30 per week.

This will be paid every 2 weeks. Each payment covers the 2 weeks that just passed.

You'll only get paid if you meet the agreed attendance in your learning agreement.

EMA is not paid during school holidays in October, Christmas, Easter, or the summer holidays. It’s only paid when you’re at school during term time.

You’ll continue to get EMA payments if you’re on work experience during term time, but only if the work experience is a pre-arranged part of your course.

Your EMA is paid directly into your bank account. If you do not have a bank or building society account, you'll need to open one.

Your account must be able to accept BACS payments (these are payments that are paid electronically from one bank account to another). Check with your bank if you're not sure.

You can get EMA for up to 3 years. Vulnerable young people may receive support for up to 3 years within a 4-year period.

See when you can start to receive EMA during the 2026 to 2027 school year:

You can submit your EMA application early, even if you’re not entitled to receive payments until January.

If you're aged 16 or over and you have not yet applied for EMA:

• if you send your application before 30 September 2026, your payments may be backdated to the start of the school year
• if you send your application between 1 October 2026 and 28 February 2027, your payments will begin from the date we receive your application.

If you will turn 16 years old between 1 October 2026 and 28 February 2027, your payments may be backdated to the start of the January 2027 term. You must apply by 28 February 2027 to receive backdated payments.

We will not accept any applications for the 2026 to 2027 school year after 31 March 2027.

You'll only receive backdated payments to the August or January terms if you have met the conditions or your learning agreement.

Otherwise, payments will be made from the date we received your application.

Payments after summer exam period

S4 and S5 students returning for a further academic year

If you’ll remain in school for the next academic session, you’ll be eligible to receive EMA payments to the end of the academic year (usually June), if you meet the requirements of your learning agreement.

S4 and S5 students leaving school at the end of the academic year 

If you’re in S4 and S5 and do not plan to remain in school after the exam period is over, you’ll be eligible to receive an EMA until the end of the exam period.

S6 students leaving school at the end of the academic year 

If you’re in S6, you’ll be paid until the end of the exam period. 

You'll need to provide:

• your Qualifications Scotland Scottish Candidate Number (SCN)
• their contact phone number and email address
• the name of the school and your year of study
• the name, sort code, and account number of your bank or building society – this needs to be your own account and cannot belong to someone else.

Your parent or carer will need to provide: 

• their name, address and relationship to you
• their contact phone number and email address.

Your parent or carer will also need to provide evidence of household income, including one of the following:

• a P60 or a statement of earnings
• a statement of self-employment (Inland Revenue form SA302).

They must also provide proof of any benefits, Universal Credit, or pensions they receive.

They can upload files from a computer or laptop. Or they can use a camera enabled device, like a smartphone or tablet, to take photos of the documents and upload them.

If your parents or carers are self employed

If your parents or carers cannot provide the relevant documentation to confirm their income details, we’ll process your application as a provisional award. 

We’ll make weekly payments for any provisional award but only for part of the academic year. 

This award will then be put on hold until we receive the relevant finalised income details. 

If we assess your award provisionally, you must give us the final income details no later than 31 May 2027.

If you need further information on providing documentation, email us at ema.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Apply for EMA online

Applications for EMA for the 2026 to 2027 school year will close on 31 March 2027.

Applications for Education Maintenance Allowance for the 2025 to 2026 school year closed on 31 March 2026.

Applications for the 2026 to 2027 school year will open in June 2026.

We'll email you with a case reference number, and we'll assess your application.

We'll contact you if we need any more information.

We'll aim to let you know our decision within 28 working days.

If you apply before school starts in August, we'll let you know by email if you have been awarded EMA.

We'll start to send award packs by post from August. The award pack will contain a learning agreement and a letter telling you what you need to do with the learning agreement.

If you apply at any other time during the school year, we'll send you an award pack by post if your application has been awarded.

You must return your learning agreement within 3 weeks of receiving your award pack.

You'll start receiving EMA payments after you’ve signed your learning agreement with your school and we’ve received the signed agreement from them.

Learning agreement

To receive EMA payments, you must have signed an EMA learning agreement. It must also be signed by your parent or carer and your school.

If you are disabled or have additional support needs (ASN), you do not need to sign the learning agreement.

A new EMA learning agreement must be completed for each academic year.

We will only pay you if you meet the conditions set out in the learning agreement.

We may stop EMA payments if the school informs us that you have failed to meet the conditions of your learning agreement.

If you have a programme of learning at more than one school, you’ll need to have a separate EMA learning agreement signed by each school you are registered at.

If your programme of learning changes and you start another course at school, the EMA learning agreement will be changed. This will need to be signed by you and the school. 

If you change school during the year, a new EMA learning agreement will need to be signed by you, the school, and your parent or carer.

We will not accept learning agreements for the 2026 to 2027 school year after 31 May 2027.

Why an EMA payment may be stopped

Your school may recommend that we stop paying an EMA. This could be based on a number of reasons, including:

Absence

We may stop payment if you do not maintain 100% attendance at school

If you’re sick or cannot attend school, you’ll need to provide evidence. 

You should collect self-certificates from the school office on the first day you return from sickness and return this to the school office within 3 school days. 

You can self-certify for up to 5 full days or 10 half days of sickness in the academic year.

After this, you’ll need to produce a medical certificate. You should send a medical certificate to your school as soon as possible.

If your medical absence extends over 3 weeks, it will be reviewed by the headteacher. The school will consider your individual circumstances.

If you’re absent for reasons other than illness – for example, for interviews, dental appointments, or hospital appointments – you should tell your school immediately.

Persistent late coming

You’ll receive a warning after 5 unexplained or unacceptable late comings to school. 

After a warning, if you have a further 2 late comings in any one week, we’ll stop payment for that week.

Conduct

We may withhold payment if you breach the school’s discipline policy – for example, if there are 2 behaviour referrals during a fortnight.

Exclusions

We will not make payments if you have been excluded from school.

Reassessment of an EMA decision

You can ask us to reassess our decision if:

• your earlier EMA application was unsuccessful
• your household income falls during the year to within the income thresholds.

You must ask us for a reassessment and provide evidence to confirm the change in circumstance and the current level of household income. 

To do this, email us at ema.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

We will not reassess your EMA if your household income rises during the year.

More information

If you need more information on EMA or eligibility, email us at ema.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Free school meals 

You can get free school meals for your child at secondary school if you get certain benefits. 

All children at an Additional Support Needs (ASN) school get free school meals in secondary school for each school day. You'll also get meal payments during the holidays for your child if you're on certain benefits. 

School meal payments during the holidays 

You can also get payments for meals for your child during the school holidays if get certain benefits.

Your child in secondary school can get free meals in school and holiday payments if they go to a Renfrewshire school and you get: 

• Universal Credit (where your monthly earned income is not more than £995)
• Income Support
• income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
• income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

If you're applying for a child who has not previously attended a Renfrewshire Council school, we cannot process an application until their enrolment has been completed. This is usually during the early part of August. 

If you live in Renfrewshire and your child goes to a special school or special unit that is not within Renfrewshire, and if you meet the eligibility criteria, you can get the free school meal holiday payments.

Who cannot get it

If you do not meet the benefits criteria listed, you cannot get free school meal holiday payments. Find out where to get money and benefits advice.

You can apply for free school meals and a clothing grant at the same time. Find out about clothing grants.

You'll need to provide us with:  

• your National Insurance number 
• evidence of your household income - you can upload the proof  
• evidence of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction - you can upload proof, or ask us to verify your housing benefit or Council Tax Reduction entitlement using our systems
• evidence of your Scottish Child Payment
• details of the child or children you're applying for - full name, gender, date of birth and the school they'll attend during the school year that you're applying for
• the bank or building society account details - holiday meal payments are paid directly into a bank account.

Applications for free school meals open on Monday 1 June 2026 and close on Monday 31 May 2027.

You only need to apply once in each school year. Apply as early as you can as we do not back date any applications. 

Apply for free school meals and clothing grants

If you're eligible for the free school meal payments, you'll also get a clothing grant. You can apply for both on the same form. Find out about clothing grants. 

You can only apply online. 

If you need help to apply: 

• contact your school
• or phone us on 0300 300 0300, Monday to Thursday from 8:45am to 4:45pm and Friday from 8:45am to 3:55pm.

Applications for free school meals open on Monday 1 June 2026.

How we make a decision 

We'll check the evidence you provide. If it meets the eligibility criteria, you'll get money added to your ParentPay account and the holiday meal payments will be paid into the bank or building society account that you gave us. 

You should speak to your school if you do not have a ParentPay account. 

How we pay it 

Holiday meal payments are made directly into your bank account 4 times in a school year, in: 

• October for the mid-term holiday
• December for the Christmas holiday
• March or April ­­for the Easter holiday
• June for the summer holiday (the 6-week summer payments are for children who have applied the previous year - so you need to have applied by the end of June to get the summer payments). 

We do not back date payments - they start from when you apply. 

You get a payment of £2.35 per weekday per child during the holidays.

Free school meals 

All children at primary school in P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 get free school meals every day they're at school. You do not need to apply for this. 

If you're the parent or carer of a child at primary school in P6 and P7, and you get certain benefits, you can apply to get free school meals. 

School meal payments during the holidays 

If you're the parent or carer of a child at primary school, and you're on certain benefits, you can get payments for meals during the school holidays. You need to apply once in each school year.

You do not get payments during the holidays if your child in is P6 and P7 and your only benefit is the Scottish Child Payment.

Your child can get free meals payments during the holidays and free school meal in P6 and P7 if they go to a Renfrewshire school, and you get:

• Universal Credit (where your monthly earned income is not more than £995)
• Income Support
• income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
• income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Your child can get free school meals at school (but not the payments in the holidays) in P6 and P7 if they go to a Renfrewshire school, and you get: 

• Scottish Child Payment.

If you're applying for a child who has not previously attended a Renfrewshire Council school, we cannot process an application until their enrolment has been completed. This is usually during the early part of August.

If you live in Renfrewshire and your child goes to a special school or special unit that is not within Renfrewshire, and if you meet the eligibility criteria, you can get the free school meal holiday payments.

Who cannot get it

If you do not meet the benefits criteria listed, you cannot get free school meal holiday payments. Find out where to get money and benefits advice.

You can apply for free school meals and a clothing grant at the same time. Find out about clothing grants.

You'll need to provide us with:  

• your National Insurance number 
• evidence of your household income - you can upload the proof  
• evidence of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction - you can upload proof, or ask us to verify your housing benefit or Council Tax Reduction entitlement using our systems
• evidence of your Scottish Child Payment
• details of the child or children you're applying for - full name, gender, date of birth and the school they'll attend during the school year that you're applying for
• the bank or building society account details - holiday meal payments are paid directly into a bank account.

Applications for free school meals open on Monday 1 June 2026 and close on Monday 31 May 2027.

You only need to apply once in each school year. Apply as early as you can as we do not back date any applications. 

Apply for free school meals and clothing grants

If you're eligible for the free school meal payments, you'll also get a clothing grant. You can apply for both on the same form. Find out about clothing grants. 

You can only apply online. 

If you need help to apply: 

• contact your school
• or phone us on 0300 300 0300, Monday to Thursday from 8:45am to 4:45pm and Friday from 8:45am to 3:55pm.

Applications for free school meals open on Monday 1 June 2026.

How we make a decision 

We'll check the evidence you provide. If it meets the eligibility criteria, you'll get money added to your ParentPay account and the holiday meal payments will be paid into the bank or building society account that you gave us. 

You should speak to your school if you do not have a ParentPay account. 

How we pay it 

Holiday meal payments are made directly into your bank account 4 times in a school year, in: 

• October for the mid-term holiday
• December for the Christmas holiday
• March or April ­­for the Easter holiday
• June for the summer holiday (the 6-week summer payments are for children who have applied the previous year - so you need to have applied by the end of June to get the summer payments). 

We do not back date payments - they start from when you apply. 

You get a payment of £2.35 per weekday per child during the holidays.

Some children get free meals for at nursery.

They may also get a daily portion of milk and a healthy snack if they attend nursery or childcare for more than 2 hours a day. Speak to your nursery about the specific meals, snacks or milk they provide.

If your child is eligible for funded early learning and childcare they can get a free meal on the days they go to a Renfrewshire Council early learning and childcare nursery and in approved funded provider settings.

If your child attends a Renfrewshire Council nursery and is not eligible for a funded early learning and childcare place, you can get a free school meals if you get:

• Universal Credit (where your monthly earned income is not more than £995)
• Income Support
• income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
• income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

You do not need to apply if your child is eligible for funded early learning and childcare, they will get a meal automatically.

You need to apply if your child does not get a funded place and you meet the eligibility criteria.

Apply for free school meals 

Applications open on Monday 1 June 2026.

Scottish Child Payment, a four-weekly payment to help with costs for children under 16.

School Age Payment, a one off payment for when children normally start school.

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.

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.

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.

A clothing grant is money given to you so that you can buy school uniforms for your child.

Depending on when you apply in the school year, you can get a payment in the summer for the start of the school year and another payment in the winter.

Your child can get a clothing grant if they go to a Renfrewshire school, and you get:

• Housing Benefit
• or Council Tax Reduction.

Your child can get a clothing grant and free meals in school and meal payments during the holidays, if they go to a Renfrewshire school and you get:

• Universal Credit (where your monthly earned income is not more than £995)
• Income Support
• income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
• income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

If you're applying for a child who has not previously attended a Renfrewshire Council nursery or school, we'll be unable to process an application until their enrolment has been completed. This is usually during the early part of August.

If you live in Renfrewshire and your child goes to a special school or special unit that is not within Renfrewshire, and if you meet the eligibility criteria, you'll get the grant.

Who cannot get a clothing grant

Children at nursery are not entitled to a clothing grant.

If you do not meet the benefits criteria listed, you cannot get a clothing grant.

Find out where to get help with money and benefits.

You can apply for a clothing grant free school meals at the same time.

You'll need to tell us:  

• your National Insurance number
• evidence of your household income - you can upload the proof to this form.
• evidence of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction - you can upload proof, or ask us to verify your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction entitlement using our systems
• details of the child or children you're applying for - full name, gender, date of birth and the school they'll attend during the school year that you're applying for
• your bank or building society account details - clothing grants are paid directly into a bank account.

Applications for clothing grants open on Monday 1 June 2026 and close on Wednesday 31 March 2027.

Apply for a clothing grant and free school meals 

If you're also eligible for the free school meal payments, we'll tell you after you apply. You can apply for both on the same form. Find out about:

• free school meals and holiday payments for primary pupils
• free school meals and holiday payments for secondary pupils.

You can only apply online.

If you need help to apply:

• contact your school
• or phone us on 0300 300 0300, Monday to Thursday from 8:45am to 4:45pm and Friday from 8:45am to 3:55pm.

Applications for clothing grants open on Monday 1 June 2026 and close on Wednesday 31 March 2027.

It usually takes 3 weeks to process a successful application.

For children who are 16 and could leave school after June - after your application, we may need to verify they have returned to school after the school year begins.

How we make a decision 

We'll check the evidence you provide. If it meets the eligibility criteria, you'll get the clothing grant payments.

How we pay it

The amount of clothing grant for each eligible pupil is:

• £120 for primary aged children, and a winter payment of £50
• £150 for secondary aged children, and a winter payment of £50.

Make sure to apply as early as you can so that you also get a payment in October for the winter. We do not back date claims.

Scottish Child Payment, a four-weekly payment to help with costs for children under 16.

School Age Payment, a one off payment for when children normally start school.

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 - these are the horizontal boards that run around the edge of the building's roof
  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.

We apply a scoring system to determine if you will get the grant and how much you will get. 

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 will visit 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 Monday 7 April 2025.

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. 

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.

Applications for the Retail Improvement Scheme (RIS) closed on Friday 17 October 2025.

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 applied by the closing date, we will 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 decide on your proposal based on the scoring system.

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 propertie
• 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. 

If we can't offer you a grant at this time, we'll consider your application again later, providing there is still funding available. 

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. 

We have a number of grants available for community and voluntary organisations to apply for, including:

• Education - Leisure Grants
• Education - Out of School Care Grants
• Pre-five Voluntary Sector
• Local Partnership Grants
• Social Work Section 10 Grants
• Tenant Association Grants.

These grants are available for community and voluntary organisations in Renfrewshire.

We'll give you details and deadlines for applying for these grants.

The Social Enterprise Small Grant grant is available to social enterprises and social economy organisations looking to grow or strengthen their enterprise activities and develop their organisations.

Successful applicants can receive up to £5,000.

You can apply for the grant if:

• you represent a social enterprise or social economy organisation
• your organisation is based in Renfrewshire
• your organisation's turnover is less than £500,000.

The grant can fund:

• capacity building work to acquire enterprise skills (developing skills, processes, and resources that your organisation needs to adapt and thrive)
• new equipment or resources related to delivering new products and services or extending your customer base - this could include staffing costs, IT office equipment, or improvements to your premises
• projects to create an economic impact, such as increasing revenue, reducing costs, or providing training opportunities
• part of the cost for a larger project or activity.

The grant cannot fund:

• work that has already happened
• individuals - you must represent an organisation
• projects intended to promote religious or political beliefs
• study visits (visiting other enterprising organisations and learning from them)
• the purchase of vehicles.

Before applying for the grant, you should make sure:

• your organisation has a written constitution and an appropriate governance structure, such as a management committee and board of trustees
• your organisation complies with the Equality Act 2010
• your organisation follows any relevant Disclosure Scotland and Protecting Vulnerable Group schemes
• you can show how you would manage the funds and use them constructively
• you can show how your proposed activity would support the types of projects described above.

See what other business grants and loans are available.

Contact our social enterprise officer about applying for the grant:

They will 

• talk to you about the application process
• give you any advice or support you need
• send you an application form.

We'll accept applications until the fund's budget is fully awarded, so apply as soon as you can so you do not miss out.

We'll review your application and aim to let you know our decision within 4 to 6 weeks.