Grants funding totalling 75% of a maximum of €4,000 is available for a new Laois County Council and Failte Ireland scheme aimed at making businesses capable of providing outdoor facilities.
According to Georgina Ireland of Laois County Council, the focus of this scheme is to provide a level of financial support to tourism and hospitality businesses, throughout the county, to purchase or upgrade equipment to provide additional outdoor seating and, therefore, increase their outdoor dining capacity for the summer of 2021.
She said: “This scheme will financially assist and support independent tourism and hospitality business owners to create outdoor dining experiences in a regulated and accessible manner.
“Funding under the scheme is only available to existing businesses.
“The Outdoor Seating and Accessories for Tourism & Hospitality Business Scheme will be administered through Local Authorities and each local Authority has the right to use their discretion in regard to their process and the development of appropriate terms and conditions that are appropriate for their respective streetscapes, businesses etc.
“All applicants will be required to comply with planning codes, legislative requirements and other compliance requirements.”
The scheme is open to attractions, hotels, restaurants, cafes, public houses or other tourism and hospitality businesses where food is sold for consumption on the premises, and that have no commercial rates outstanding to Laois County Council or have an agreed payment plan in place.
Items considered eligible for the grants include: tables, chairs, umbrellas, electric heaters, screens/windbreaks, plant stands and wooden platform.
Speaking at yesterday’s meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District, Director of Services Simon Walton said that there has, since the scheme opened last week, been 15 expressions of interest and six applications.
In addition to that, he said that Laois County Council had identified four areas that could be made into outdoor seating hubs in Portlaoise – Top Square, Main Street, Hynds Square and the area near the Bank of Ireland in Lyster Square.
He said that so far, the Council had purchased seven picnic tables and seven benches – with plans to purchase another 15.
County Councillors roundly welcomed this development and said that every effort should be made to help the hospitality and tourism sector.
They were also told that if businesses share or are located in the same area, they can share projects between them.
Cllr Willie Aird said that Gardai needed to be informed of this so that they could be ready to act should any anti-social behaviour occur.
For further information on available grants and an expression of interest form, you can check it out here.
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