Improving look of local shop fronts

IN 2016 Louth County Council launched the ‘Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme’, as part of their suite of Business Incentives.

Due to the popularity of these grants the local authority has decided to extend the initiative throughout 2017.

The Shop Front Improvement Scheme is available to local retailers and business owners in the towns of Ardee, Drogheda and Dundalk and it is hoped to encourage them to restore traditional shop fronts, repaint shop fronts and to move security shutters inside their premises.

Shop fronts are one of the most important elements in determining the character, quality and perception of retail streets in our towns and it is hoped to promote good quality shop fronts through this initiative. To help businesses achieve this, Louth County Council has also published a Shop Front Design Guidelines booklet.

Mary T Daly of Louth County Council explained: ‘It is hoped that this initiative will continue to help enhance shop fronts in the town and alongside the Small Business Support Scheme and New Business Incentive Scheme, assist existing retailers and attract new businesses back into the town centres.’

The Council would encourage business owners who are thinking about carrying out works to take advantage of the grants available. The application form is easy to complete and the qualifying criteria straightforward Details of the scheme are available on www.louthcoco.ie or you can request the design guidelines and application form by emailing: shopfrontgrant@ louthcoco.ie