Funding programmes for retail premises
Two programmes support the rental of vacant retail premises: one in Essen city centre and one in the centre of Altenessen.
City Centre Funding Programme
Are you looking for a vacant retail premises in Essen city centre, ideally in a prime location? Then apply now for the “Sustainable City Centres and Local Centres in North Rhine-Westphalia” funding programme, part of the state initiative “Future. City Centre. North Rhine-Westphalia” and run by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Municipal Affairs, Building and Digitalisation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Under this funding programme, the City of Essen can rent retail premises in the city centre and sublet them to you for just around 20 per cent of the previous rent.
Find out more about the funding programme here:
What can be funded?
The programme funds the rental of retail premises in Essen city centre by having the City of Essen rent the premises and sublet them to an exciting business concept. The concept pays only 20% of the previous rent. The maximum funding period is 24 months. Premises of up to 300 m² are eligible for funding.
Who can receive funding?
We are looking for exciting concepts in retail, gastronomy, culture and leisure, as well as social and neighbourhood initiatives. In individual cases, services may also be eligible for funding. The decision on whether to fund a concept is made by an interdisciplinary jury comprising representatives from the administration, politics, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), DEHOGA, EWG – Essener Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft mbH and EMG – Essen Marketing GmbH. There is no entitlement to funding.
How can I take part?
You can apply at any time by completing the application documents and sending them to the address provided. The required application documents are available here:
- Attachment to the application for the “Sustainable City Centres and Local Centres in NRW” funding programme in Essen (docx, 3 MB)
- Applicant’s self-declaration regarding subsidies subject to the De minimis Regulation (docx, 2 MB)
- Essen City Centre application form (pdf, 130 kB)
Please email the completed application documents to: innenstadt@emg.essen.de
The programme is funded by
Altenessen Funding Programme
Are you looking for a vacant retail premises in the centre of Altenessen? Apply now for a 50% rental subsidy through to the end of 2026.
Find out more about rental support here:
What can be funded?
With this rental subsidy, we support you in renting retail premises in the centre of Altenessen. You rent directly from the landlord and negotiate the rent with them. We will cover 50% of the net cold rent, up to the end of 2026. We will, of course, support you in your negotiations with the landlord.
Who can receive funding?
We are looking for exciting concepts in retail, gastronomy, culture and leisure, as well as social and neighbourhood initiatives. In individual cases, services may also be supported. The decision on whether to support a concept is made by an interdisciplinary jury. There is no entitlement to rental support.
How can I take part?
You can apply at any time using the following application form. Simply complete the form linked here:
Please email the completed application documents to: ebel@emg.essen.de
Contact
EMG - Essen Marketing GmbH
Citymanagement
Kennedyplatz 5
45127 Essen