The Merchant City Townscape Heritage Initiative is a three year grants programme aimed at regenerating the built environment at the historic heart of Glasgow.

The grants programme is available to property owners for high quality repair, restoration and refurbishment of buildings and public realm. The funding for these grants has been provided by a partnership of Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and the Heritage Lottery Fund and is intended to meet the 'conservation deficit' on projects in the area - i.e. the grant will meet the difference between the cost of works (minus any other grant income) and the value of the project on completion.

The purpose of the initiative is not only to upgrade the appearance of historic buildings however. Strong, contemporary design will also be encouraged and the THI is one of a series of levers that seek to improve the physical and also the economic and social conditions of this part of the city - so that it can once again succeed as a retail, cultural and residential centre, with an emphasis on an energetic mixed use economy, a safe and attractive residential environment, and independent shops and small businesses with an identity and style of their own.