Purpose
This scheme aims to assist businesses in Offaly adapt their premises by providing weather proofing for outdoor areas, outdoor furniture and utilising unused space. For example, the scheme may assist cafés, coffee shops and restaurants provide socially distanced seating outside for food consumption. In other cases, equipment to encourage organised queueing or to facilitate click & collect points, pick up/drop off etc. may be required.
These measures will increase capacity for customers, facilitate socially distanced queueing and will ensure compliance with COVID-19 public health guidelines regarding the permitted number of customers and staff on a premises.
It is intended that the scheme will allow some businesses to continue trading throughout various levels of lockdown, if appropriate, and that people will be encouraged to visit town and village centres, thereby increasing footfall and economic activity.
Post-COVID, as part of a new era for outdoor dining etc., increased capacity can be a more permanent arrangement, therefore applications for equipment / structures to last after the pandemic should reflect this in terms of quality / robustness / longevity.
Background
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland under the Department of Rural & Community Development’s “Rural Development Investment Programme”. The programme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 and is administered through the Local Authorities.
In 2020, the Rural Development Investment Programme, including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, was tailored to address the emerging challenges associated with COVID-19. This new strand of the scheme, “Accelerated Measure in Response to COVID-19”, focuses on immediate interventions that can be delivered in the short term to assist towns and villages adapt to COVID-19 by increasing footfall in rural villages and towns, and assisting local businesses/communities to adapt to public health requirements, particularly social distancing.
The COVID Capacity Scheme for Businesses is one of the successful applications made by Offaly County Council for funding under the accelerated measure strand.
How to apply for a grant
1. Start an application by clicking on the blue "Apply" button to the right.
2. Applications may be made by the owner of premises or by the lessee with the owner’s written consent.
3. The Completed Application Form must be accompanied by
· quotations for purchasing equipment
· proof of relevant equipment already purchased. i.e. copy of invoice/s and proof of payment, bank statement showing date of transaction etc. and photographic evidence.
· sufficient details / specifications / brochures / photos of the proposed equipment to allow the application to be assessed.
4. The declaration must be signed stating that no grant aid was received previously for equipment purchased.
Assessment Criteria
The following will be considered in the assessment of applications:
· The suitability of the equipment to increase outdoor capacity and weatherproofing outdoor areas.
· Priority will be given to outdoor areas being increased near amenity and recreational areas.
· Applications for funding will be considered by an Adjudication Panel appointed by the Council. The decision to award a grant rests with Offaly County Council, whose decision shall be final.
If you require further information or have any enquiries please contact: Regeneration Team, Planning Section, Offaly County Council; Tel: (057) 93 46800 or by emailing:
tvr@offalycoco.ie
The Council reserves the right to publish photographs of improved outdoor capacity provided under the scheme in promotional material associated with the scheme and its purpose.
Grant Drawdown
1. All payments must be made through the applicant’s bank account. Cash payments will not be eligible for grant aid. Bank Statements will be required as evidence of equipment purchased between 1st October to 31st December, 2020.
2. An inspection may be undertaken, to ensure compliance with the scheme, however, in cases where equipment has already been purchased, inspections will take place.
Qualifying Areas
This Scheme is open to applications from all local businesses/retail premises in Offaly excluding Tullamore Town as the Town and Village Scheme does not cover towns with a population greater than 10,000.
Offaly County Council is particularly interested in supporting businesses close to outdoor amenities such as walks, trails, parks, greenways etc. It is hoped that if outdoor capacity is made available or increased in such businesses, it will allow them to remain open year-round and throughout lockdowns which will benefit both residents and the local business community. Post COVID, this can assist economic recovery for businesses in rural areas also.
Eligible Equipment
Grant funding can only be used to purchase equipment that will increase/extend outdoor capacity of the business premises.
· Outdoor seating and tables
· Outdoor seating partitions (non-permanent)
· Pergolas/ Winter or Summer Canopies
· Outdoor heaters
This is an indicative but not exhaustive list of equipment eligible for purchase under the scheme.
Ineligible Works
· No construction works will be funded by the grant.
· No equipment permanently attached to the façade of a premises will be funded.