Boost for retailers as fund rolled out for shop front work

A pilot shop front scheme is being rolled out in New Ross offering business owners grants of up to 50 per cent to improve the look of their premises.

The grant is for non domestic commercial properties.

New Ross Municipal District Council manager Sinead Casey said: ‘Funding is limited and must be drawn down in the current year.’

Eligible works include painting, decorating, repair and renewal of facia, soffit and guttering, installation and repair to doors and traditional shop front improvement works.

Applications can be made to New Ross Municipal District Council up until September 30 of this year. According to the rules grants will not be offered in retrospect and the council can withdraw a grant if works are not completed within three months of it being awarded.

Up to 50 per cent of the total cost, (with a maximum grant of €1,000), will be awarded, with VAT excluded from calculations.

Chairman of County Wexford Economic Special Policy Committee (SPC) Cllr Michael Sheehan welcomed the new scheme for New Ross town. He said: ‘ The Economic Special Policy Committee (SPC) agreed this last year and have been quietly putting it together since then. After the backing of the SPC and now the endorsement by the municipal council, the scheme is now live. People in the general town centre area have the opportunity to upgrade and repaint their shop front to the tune of €1,000 or restore them to the original styled shop.’

General repairs are covered and are guided by the styles and details in the development plans for the town and district.

‘ This is one of a two step process in rejuvenating the life of our town centre: we need to develop, refine and encourage people to live above shops and put the lights on again in our downtown areas,’ Cllr Sheehan said.