Grants for shopfront refurbishment in Castlebar Municipal District

A GRANT scheme for shopfront refurbishments in towns and villages across the Castlebar Municipal District is being reestablished.

Local Councillor Donna Sheridan sought the roll-out of the scheme in a motion before the April municipal district meeting.

Councillor Sheridan had previously put forward the same motion in 2021 when some 20 businesses across the Castlebar district availed of the grant.

She commented: “I am delighted this motion has been passed by my colleagues in the Castlebar Municipal District. We need to do everything we can to support our local businesses.

“This motion supports local rate payers and it also improves our streetscapes. I hope to see the grant scheme rolled out over the next number of weeks.”

The 2021 scheme prioritised works such as shopfront repair, renovation, minor upgrading and painting of shopfronts, signage, masonry repairs, removing redundant electrical equipment, advertising signs, etc.

The owners or tenants (with written permission of owner) of retail premises located in the following areas of Castlebar Municipal District were eligible to apply for assistance under the 2021 scheme, with priority given to smaller independent businesses.

Castlebar: Ellison Street, Castle Street, Shamble Street, Market Square, Market Street, Bridge Street, Linenhall Street, Tucker Street, New Antrim Street, Rush Street, Spencer Street, Duke Street, Chapel Street, Richard Street Newtown, Lower Charles Street, Thomas Street, Hopkins Road and Cavendish Lane.

Town/village centres: Belcarra, Balla, Breaffy, Ballavary, Turlough and Lahardane.

Grant assistance of up to 50% of the cost of the approved works, excluding VAT, to a maximum of €1,000 was available under the '21 scheme.

A budget of €13,478 is available this year.