PROPERTY owners and developers in Thurrock and wider South Essex have been advised they can benefit from zero interest loans to encourage the development and use of empty commercial buildings.

The 'No Use Empty South Essex' (NUE SE) project aims to bring between ten and 15 empty buildings back into use across the region.

NUE SE will focus on town and city centres and secondary shopping areas, where high streets and other commercial areas have been significantly impacted by changing consumer demand and the after-effects of COVID-19.

Subject to an approval process, loans are available in multiples of £25,000 up to a maximum value of £175,000. The application process is open and will run until March 2026.

Loans will be on a first come, first served basis and can be provided as 'top up' funding – so if a developer cannot secure all the funding that they need from a bank they can 'top up' their bank funding with a loan from NUE SE.

The project has secured £2.2million of government funding from the Growing Places Fund (£1million) and the Getting Building Fund (£1.2million).

Further information on how to apply can be found on the NUE SE webpage or by emailing the team at: [email protected]