Shopfront scheme discussed by council

ENNISCORTHY Municipal District Council is considering introducing a ‘Paint the Shop Scheme’ in Enniscorthy, Bunclody and Ferns.

In his report to the members at their monthly meeting last week District Manager, Ger Mackey, said the local authority ‘should consider the establishment’ of such a scheme.

‘In broad terms this scheme would involve a partnership between the shop [and] business owners and the [local authority],’ he said.

It was suggested that through the scheme business owners would arrange to have the facade of their premises painted in return for a ‘paint the shop grant’.

‘It would be important that the advice of a colour consultant would be sought in order to achieve an overall look for [the] towns,’ said Mr Mackey.

‘I think the town needs a freshen up and we would hope to draw in the business community,’ he added.

The members were also informed that grant funding of around €100,000 would be available throughout the lifetime of the scheme which will run over a number of years.

The proposal was welcomed by the members who emphasised the need to ensure that the three towns were included in any such initiative.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, asked if Ferns will be included in the scheme and Mr Mackey said it will be, but more likely in year two.

‘We brought that into Enniscorthy [before] and it worked very well,’ said Cllr Jackser Owens.

He also expressed the view that all three towns should be included in the scheme from the start.

‘I would say that if we are going to do it with Bunclody and Enniscorthy we have to do it with Ferns as well,’ he added.

Amanda Byrne, who is the head of local authority’s Community Section, was also in attendance at the meeting and said that in the past such a scheme was introduced in Ferns but the take up was minimal.

In particular she made reference to when Ferns was still within the Gorey Municipal District area

‘ Three years ago when Ferns was in the Gorey area we found very few businesses took it up,’ she said.

Cllr Cathal Byrne also expressed the view that it’s important businesses in Ferns are given the same opportunity as elsewhere in the Enniscorthy area.

‘If it’s something that they choose not to do that’s one thing but they should be given the opportunity,’ he said.

‘I think it’s a great idea,’ he added.