Westmeath businesses urged to avail of shopfront grant scheme

Westmeath County Council is calling on local businesses to avail of grant aid to give their premises a fresh look this summer.

The council last week announced details of its Shopfront Grant Scheme, which is open to all retailers and commercial premises owners/lessees in the county.

Owner of Treasures Irish art and antique shop on Athlone's Mardyke Street, Louis Walsh, recently availed of the grant when moving to his new premises.

“Our new shopfront was made from reclaimed materials, which we carefully restored to create an eye-catching shopfront.

"We are really pleased with the finished look and it has increased footfall to our premises. I would encourage anyone to apply for the grant,” he said.

The Shopfront Grant Scheme offers retailers a great opportunity to give their shopfront a fresh new look.

An attractive shopfront can make a positive impact on the customer experience, promote the business and ultimately lead to increased sales.

The scheme offers significant grant aid of 75% up to €4,500 for a host of eligible works, while grant aid of 75% up to €6,000 is available for collaborative projects, disability and age friendly access works.

Eligible works include painting, reinstatement of architectural or historic features, repair of a shopfront, stonework, guttering and downpipes to match historic materials, removal of neon signs, replacement of canopies, repair or replacement of windows and doors, planters or bicycle racks, to name but a few.

Westmeath County Council wants to support business owners in all towns and villages across the county to improve the appearance of their shopfronts and has made this fund available to assist them.

The scheme’s purpose is to enhance the streetscape and increase the vitality and viability of our towns and villages into the future.

Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Liam McDaniel, encouraged business owners to apply for the scheme, stating: "I would encourage all business owners to take a look at the grant details and get in contact with Westmeath Local Enterprise Office to discuss.

"We would really love to see three or more businesses collaborating to avail of the higher grant of €6,000. The benefits to your business can be immense, after all, an attractive shopfront adds to the streetscape and encourages increased footfall."

Westmeath Local Enterprise Office is available to answer queries on localenterprise@westmeathcoco.ie or 044 9338945.