Our Rural Future is the Government’s five year strategy to revitalise rural Ireland and includes a commitment to upgrade and enhance shopfronts and street facades in our rural towns and villages. This activity will be funded by the Department of Rural & Community Development (DRCD) through the 2022 Streetscape Enhancement Measure. This is an additional Measure which was introduced in 2021 as part of the Town & Village Renewal Scheme. €2.6 million is being made available under this Measure in 2022. Improving the visual appearance of our urban streetscapes increases pride and confidence in our towns and villages, making them more attractive places to live, work and do business. The focus of this measure is to support the upgrade and enhancement of shopfronts and street facades of defined areas within selected rural town/village centres.
Eligibility
Applications are invited from within Abbeyleix town for funding of streetscape and shopfront enhancement projects under the 2022 Town and Village Streetscape Enhancement scheme. Only premises within designated areas in Abbeyleix will qualify to apply for the scheme. The designated areas can be viewed on the attached MAP.
The following types of premises are considered eligible:
Commercial, residential or unoccupied buildings in town/village centre locations as defined by the local authority. All works must be completed by 31st August 2023. No applications can be considered for works already commenced.
Grant Funding Levels
Grant funding will be provided at 80% of total project costs – matched funding of 20% required.
Submission of Applications
- Applications can only be made online from Tuesday 13th September.
- A Public Consultation regarding the Scheme is taking place on Thursday 15th September from 10am-12pm at Heritage House, Abbeyleix. Any person interested in the scheme has an opportunity at this consultation to speak with Council officials and submit an application.
- The closing date for receipt of applications is 12pm on Monday, 3rd October 2022.
Procurement requirements for applications
The following procurement rules apply, as a minimum, to the individual projects funded:
- 2 x Contractor quotations;
- 1 x Materials quotation;
(Note: 3 written quotations for contracts above €5,000 as per National Procurement
Guidelines)
Successful applications will require
- Completed Application Form
- Required Quotations
- Photograph prior to commencement of project
Payment of Grant Award will require
- Photograph of completed project
- Copy of paid invoice.
- Evidence of payment – i.e. bank statement showing transaction or receipt.
| ELIGIBLE WORKS | |
| Green enhancement of entrances/ terraces with planting | €500 |
| Painting of building/shop front in carefully selected colours which will complement the host building and streetscape.
Mural (agreed in advance with Local Authority) Decluttering and repair of shopfronts. (Decluttering can include such works as removing unnecessary signs, flagpoles, wiring etc.) |
€3,500 |
| Appropriate illumination and lighting of architectural features of buildings. |
€4,000 |
| Replacement of signage with traditional wooden fascia with wooden/hand painted lettering OR contemporary design | |
| Canopies/Awnings complementary to the materials of the shopfront and building (including street furniture). | |
| Maximum per building | €8,000 |
For any queries on this scheme please contact Sheila Cahill 0578664015 / Michael Timmons 0578664202 in the Business Support Unit at Laois County Council at businesssupport@laoiscoco.ie