Mayor welcomes expansion of shopfront scheme

Mayor of Athlone/Moate Municipal District Cllr Aengus O’Rourke has welcomed the expansion of Westmeath County Council’s Shopfront Enhancement Scheme to now include canopies and awnings. Cllr O’Rourke said as chair of the council’s economic SPC in 2018 he was pleased to introduce and launch the shopfront enhancement initiative.

Effectively, the scheme provides funding support for shop and business owners to encourage them to rejuvenate and enhance the front of their premises. The Council refunds 50% of the spend up to a total spend of €5,000 (€2,500 coming from the council). Until now the scheme covered painting, improvement work to windows and woodwork, painting, attractive signage, but will now be expanded to include awnings and canopies.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “Now with a greater emhpasis on outdoor dining, we are keen to incentivise the installation of suitable canopies and awnings - particularly in the hospitality sector. This should come as a welcome boost to the beleaguered hospitality industry when they do get an opportunity to open their doors again.”

There is an application process, which Cllr O’Rourke said was not complicated or onerous, and which requires applicants to explain the plans they have and the works they plan to undertake. More information is available on the Westmeath County Council website: www.westmeathcoco.ie