Businesses encouraged to avail of improvement grants

Mullingar businesses have been encouraged to avail of local authority grants to improve the visual appeal of the county town. At present Westmeath County Council is operating a grant scheme that is focused on the appearance of urban areas.

Cllr Bill Collentine tabled a motion at July meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad urging the executive to encourage businesses to avail of the shop front grants available to them to improve the streetscape.

The shopfront enhancement grant scheme provides financial support for local businesses and retailers to improve their building facades.

Under the scheme a solo applicant can receive up to 75% of project costs (up to a maximum grant of €4,500) while joint applicants can get up to 75% of costs (up to €6,000 for three or more adjoining businesses).

The scheme incorporates accessibility initiatives where up to €6,000 (75% of costs) is available for improvements like ramps, level entrances, or handrails.

The local authority said the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) has advised that it has undertaken extensive efforts to continuously promote the shop front enhancement scheme throughout the district.

LEO Westmeath has actively supported and promoted the scheme through a variety of communication channels and engagement initiatives to ensure that local businesses are aware of the opportunity and are encouraged to participate.

The executive reply said: “Our promotional activities have included: Social Media Campaigns: Regular promotion of the scheme across LEO Westmeath’s social media platforms, highlighting the benefits of the initiative and encouraging applications from eligible businesses.

“Newsletters: Inclusion of scheme details in LEO Westmeath's e-newsletters distributed to our extensive database of local businesses and stakeholders.

“Lunch and Learn Events: The scheme was promoted at our recent Lunch and Learn sessions in Kinnegad, Delvin and Kilbeggan, providing business owners with direct information on the available supports and the application process.”

LEO Westmeath worked in conjunction with Mullingar Chamber to promote the scheme, particularly with regard to Tidy Towns activities, encouraging businesses to enhance the appearance of their premises and contribute to the overall presentation of the town.

LEO Westmeath has conducted targeted leaflet drops to business premises across various towns within the district, ensuring that information on the scheme reached businesses directly.

The council's reply concluded by saying: “Through these sustained promotional efforts, LEO Westmeath continues to raise awareness of the Shop Front Enhancement Scheme and encourage uptake among local businesses, supporting the improvement of town centre and village aesthetics and enhancing the attractiveness of our commercial areas.”