Local area activation fund
Support for Hackney town centres and high streets to thrive
Hackney Council has set up a Local Area Activation Fund, to support its town centres and high streets to thrive, allocating part of its UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grant from UK Government.
This fund is open to Hackney-based business collectives, associations or partnerships that want to run an event or set up an initiative that supports the economy in their local area, high street or town centre. Specifically, funded activities should enhance local places where people want to spend time and money, day and night.
This includes events in the Borough’s town centres and neighbourhoods. The aim of the events are to galvanise the local community, creating better connections between residents and businesses, and drive additional footfall into the town centres, which will deliver an economic boost to local businesses.
We have aligned the fund to Hackney’s vision for an inclusive economy set out in our draft Economic Development Plan 2025-2030, and in response to feedback from local businesses wanting more area-focused comms support from the council.
Deadline for applications was 5pm on Sunday 25 January 2026
Apply for £1,500 - £5,000 to fund a new initiative or event on your high street.
Who can apply for the funding?
This fund is open to Hackney-based business collectives, associations or partnerships
At least two independent, Hackney-based businesses, charities, not-for-profits, social enterprises or CICs, must apply together.
Applicants should have less than 250 employees and be actively trading for at least two years, no dormant or dissolved organisations (this applies to all members of any association, collective or partnership).
Applicants should be a recognised Hackney Responsible Business or willing to commit to signing up to the Hackney Responsible Business Charter.
What can you spend the funding on?
Applicants can use the funding for:
Activities that increase visitors and/or improve accessibility/ inclusivity to an area, high street or town centre in the London borough of Hackney.
New activities and initiatives only, we won’t fund past activities or retrospective costs.
Proposed activities should benefit Hackney businesses.
Applications will only be considered for activities which can be completed by 31 March 2026.
Questions? Please email business@hackney.gov.uk