Today saw the launch of the brand new Facade Enhancement scheme for Portlaoise.
The first phase of the Facade Enhancement Scheme will focus on Lower Main Street, Bridge Street and the Well Road.
It will assist property owners to improve their premises by painting the exterior of both commercial and residential dwellings. Laois County Council will contribute up to 75 percent of the approved costs of the works up to a maximum of €750.
The Facade Enhancement Scheme is an initiative which was developed from the Portlaoise Town Team, the group established to implement the town centre renewal strategy for Portlaoise.
This is a pilot scheme from Laois County Council follows on from the recent launches of the new Portlaoise brand logo ‘We’ll Meet You There’ and the Portlaoise ‘Me2You gift card’.
Present at the Launch from Laois County Council were; Chief Executive Laois County Council John Mulholland, An Cathaoirleach John King, An Cathaoirleach of Portlaoise Municipal District Catherine Fitzgerald, Director of Services Kieran Kehoe and elected members of the county council.
Joining them were Interior designer Neville Knott, CEO of Crown Paints Ireland Clark Blair, Peter and Garry O’Neill Crown Paints, Portlaoise and members of the Portlaoise Town Team – Gerry and Alison Browne and Ger Mulhall.
How Portlaoise can flourish
The opening address was given by the An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. John King who spoke about the importance of the streetscape and public realm and its ability to attract and retain visitors to the town.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive John Mulholland said that the scheme had the capacity to make a huge impact in the town.
He was optimistic and confident that businesses and property owners would sign up to the scheme and help contribute a new mood in the town which could serve as an example for all the towns in the region.
The scheme is being introduced in association with Crown Paints who have developed a bespoke 42 colour paint palette specifically for Portlaoise.
Clarke Blair, Crown Paints CEO, stated that they were very proud to be involved in this Pilot Scheme. Community & Locality is the key to their business and it is part of their remit that they want to see the town of Portlaoise flourish and they feel that the facade enhancement scheme will contribute to this.
Also speaking at the event was Neville Knott, who spoke about the importance of colour to a thriving town centre.
Anyone interested in this grant scheme or would like some more information should contact Linda Meredith, Business Support Unit on Tel 057 8664133 or lmeredith@laoiscoco.ie.
Applications forms are also available here.
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