Deadline: 22-Jun-2026
The Fraserburgh BIG Ideas Fund is a place-based regeneration grant programme delivered by Aberdeenshire Council. It supports projects that bring vacant town centre premises in Fraserburgh back into active use. The fund encourages entrepreneurship, community participation, and innovative uses of empty commercial properties to strengthen the local economy and increase town centre activity.
Programme Objectives
The key objectives of the fund include:
- Reducing vacancy levels in Fraserburgh town centre
- Increasing footfall and visitor activity
- Supporting new and existing businesses to occupy empty premises
- Encouraging entrepreneurial and community-led initiatives
- Promoting innovative uses of town centre spaces beyond traditional retail
- Strengthening community ownership and local economic resilience
- Creating long-term sustainable demand for town centre properties
- Supporting regeneration and investment in underused commercial spaces
Eligible Activities and Uses of Space
The fund supports a wide range of town centre activation activities, including:
- Retail and commercial businesses
- Health and wellbeing services
- Shared-use spaces and co-working hubs
- Community enterprises and social initiatives
- Creative and innovative non-retail uses of vacant properties
Applicants are expected to actively occupy and operate from vacant town centre premises and provide goods or services to the public.
Funding Details
- Total available fund: £25,000 (distributed across multiple projects)
- Grant size: No fixed minimum or maximum amount
- Applicants should request only what is necessary for project delivery
- Match funding: Not mandatory but encouraged
- In-kind contributions accepted, including:
- Volunteer labour
- Donated equipment or services
- Free or discounted premises use
Payment Structure
Funding is released in two stages:
- 50% upfront upon acceptance of the grant offer
- 50% after submission of valid expenditure evidence
Applicants must provide proof of spending such as:
- Invoices
- Receipts
- Bank statements confirming expenditure of the grant amount
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- Sole traders
- Small and medium businesses
- Charities
- Community groups
- Social enterprises
Eligibility condition:
- Applicants must intend to occupy and actively use a vacant town centre property in Fraserburgh
- The premises must be open for public use or service delivery
Not eligible:
- Property owners applying solely to redevelop their own premises
- Projects that do not activate or occupy vacant units
Eligible Costs
The fund can be used for costs directly linked to setting up and activating a town centre premises, including:
- Initial rent or occupancy costs
- Purchase of stock or inventory
- Marketing and promotional activities
- Equipment purchase or hire
- Public liability insurance
- Fixtures and fittings
- Interior decoration and shop fitting
- Window displays and visual merchandising
Why This Fund Matters
This initiative supports town centre regeneration by addressing vacancy challenges and declining footfall. It helps transform underused spaces into productive community and business assets. By encouraging diverse uses beyond retail, it strengthens economic resilience and creates a more vibrant and sustainable town centre environment.
Key Outcomes Expected
The programme aims to achieve:
- Increased occupancy of vacant commercial properties
- Higher footfall in Fraserburgh town centre
- Growth in local business activity and entrepreneurship
- Improved attractiveness of the town centre environment
- Stronger community engagement in local economic development
Delivery Authority
The programme is delivered by Aberdeenshire Council as part of its broader efforts to support town centre regeneration and local economic development.
Conclusion
The Fraserburgh BIG Ideas Fund, managed by Aberdeenshire Council, is a targeted regeneration initiative designed to reduce vacant properties and stimulate economic activity in Fraserburgh town centre. It supports businesses and community organisations in transforming unused spaces into active, productive, and publicly accessible assets that strengthen the local economy and community life.
For more information, visit Aberdeenshire Council.
