Living Over The Shops Programme

Grant to renovate a vacant or underutilised upper floor space within commercial areas for conversion to residential use
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council鈥檚 Living Over The Shops (LOTS) scheme is now open to premises located in Crumlin and Glengormley town centres.
The LOTS scheme will offer selective grant assistance to eligible property owners and/or occupiers to renovate or re-purpose a vacant or under-utilised upper floor space within town centres across the Borough for conversion to primary residential use.
The overall aims of the LOTS scheme are to:
- help promote the re-population of town centres, contributing to increased footfall and custom
- reduce the number of vacant or underutilised premises
- increase housing stock and tenancy options for all budgets
- reduce dependency on private transport, contributing to sustainability targets
- improve the animation of town centres to encourage people to visit, work and live in the town centres
Funding available
The LOTS grant will cover up to 75% of the eligible costs for each individual property up to a maximum, depending on whether the project is classed as Tier 1 or Tier 2.
The grant rate will depend on the number of units being created, the number of bedrooms in each unit and the total eligible project costs.
Applicants must demonstrate a minimum contribution of 25% of the overall eligible project costs.
A two-tiered grant rate will apply where a single unit is being converted, as follows:
- Tier 1: conversion to a 1-bedroom unit - maximum grant of 拢35,000 (75% rate)
- Tier 2: conversion to a 2-bedroom or more unit - maximum grant of 拢50,000 (75% rate)
This phase of the programme will close at 4pm on Friday 29 August 2025.
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First published 26 June 2025