Businesses will soon be able to bid for up to £25,000 to take on empty shop premises in Renfrewshire town centres.

Plans to introduce a vacant shops grant scheme, which aim to slash the number of unoccupied ground floor units, were approved at Tuesday’s economy and regeneration policy board.

The initiative is the first in a series of interventions by a special task force formed in response to rising vacancy levels in Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone.

Officers have also confirmed they are willing to expand the remit to include Erskine and Linwood.

As part of the programme, match funding of up to £25,000 will be made available to businesses, via an application process, to support set-up costs or for use as working capital.

Councillor Graeme Clark, Labour group economy and regeneration spokesperson, who represents Paisley Northeast and Ralston, said: “There’s no way that we’re going to get rid of all the empty shops across Renfrewshire. That’s never going to happen.

“The high street is never going to be like it was before, but this is a wonderful scheme to at least help to address some of these challenges.”

Under the scheme, applications will be accepted from businesses that want to open their first premises in the relevant town centres.

However, established local companies situated outside of the town centre will be considered where a clear business case can be identified, such as a desire to occupy a larger premises because of growth.

Councillor Andy Doig, an independent representative for Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, said: “I think there’s a feeling when I talk to traders in Johnstone town centre that maybe the council has been a bit aloof and slightly removed from their concerns.

“We need to get closer to them and build a closer relationship and we’re doing that through schemes like the retail improvement scheme but also this new grant that is being proposed.”

Councillor Andy Steel, SNP board convener, responded: “I sit with two hats on.

“When I’m dealing with local businesses, I understand the point you’re making, but when I’m sitting in this chair, I’m well aware of the work that the officers are doing under extremely difficult circumstances. It’s a lot of work.”

A report to the board said ineligible ventures include “large national chains, betting shops, sex shops, pawn brokers, tanning salons, aesthetics salons, tobacconists and vape shops”.

Bids will be subject to a business appraisal, which considers their viability and strength, as well as the impact any grant would have in relation to growing the number of employees, turnover and net zero ambitions.

Advisors will be allocated to support applicants through the process, with final decisions and awards determined by managers reviewing the appraisals.

It is anticipated the scheme could be open for applications by December.