Outdoor Seating & Accessories for Tourism and Hospitality Business Grant
The focus of this scheme is to provide a level of financial support to tourism and hospitality businesses to purchase or upgrade equipment to provide additional outdoor seating and, therefore, increase their outdoor capacity for the summer of 2021. This scheme will financially assist and support independent tourism and hospitality business owners to create outdoor dining experiences in a regulated and accessible manner.
The scheme is now extended to provide a level of financial support to pubs that don’t serve food to purchase or upgrade equipment to provide additional outdoor seating and increase their serving capacity.
Funding under the scheme is only available to existing businesses.
All applicants will be required to comply with planning codes, legislative requirements and other compliance requirements. The scheme is open to attractions, hotels, restaurants, cafes, public houses or other tourism and hospitality business establishments where food is sold for consumption on the premises and premises that have no commercial rates outstanding to Mayo County Council or have a payment plan in place. Public houses that do not sell food for consumption on the premises can now apply to the funding scheme.
The closing date for applications is the 30th September 2021.
Please click here to submit your application.
FAQs:
How much will I get?
Eligible businesses will receive a payment subject to a maximum amount of €4,000 or 75% of costs ex VAT, whichever is lesser, of the equipment purchased/installed. If approved, eligible businesses will need to provide proof of payment (bank statements and corresponding invoices) before the grant will be paid. Cash receipts as proof of payment will not be accepted.
What can I use the grant for?
This scheme will financially assist and support independent tourism and hospitality businesses where food is sold for consumption on the premises to create an outdoor dining experience in a regulated and accessible manner. The grant conditions are now extended to help assist public houses that do not sell food to increase their outdoor serving capacity.
What Items are considered eligible for the scheme are:
- Tables
- Chairs
- Parasols
- Electric heaters
- Screens/windbreaks
- Plant stands
- Wooden Platform
- Awnings
How will the grant be paid?
The grant will be paid via electronic transfer from the Local Authority to the business bank account of the applicant. Further information will be required at the draw down stage of the grant and this will be outlined in the letter of offer to successful applicants.
How do I apply?
The application can be made online at this link. The application form will require applicants to provide their existing Section 254 licence number or apply for a new Section 254 licence if using public space for commercial purposes. Applicants have the option to apply for the licence and the grant simultaneously or an applicant can contact their local Municipal District Office and they will be assisted with the requirements of the Section 254 licence application process.
What are the qualifying criteria for the grant scheme?
- The scheme is open to attractions, hotels, restaurants, cafes, public houses or other tourism and hospitality business establishments where food is sold for consumption on the premises. The grant conditions are now extended to help assist public houses that do not sell food to increase their outdoor serving capacity.
- Those premises that have no commercial rates outstanding to Mayo County Council or have a payment plan in place.
- Businesses that wish to utilise public space for commercial purposes will need to hold a valid 254 licence in order to draw down grant funding.
- Expenditure must be incurred between 1st April 2020 and 30th September 2021.
What is the closing date?
The closing date for receipt of applications is the 30th of September 2021. All expenditure and drawdown claims will need to be submitted to Mayo County Council by the 29th of October 2021.
Where can I get further information?
Any queries in respect of the scheme, please contact Deirdre/Anne on 094 9064299 or email info@leo.mayococo.ie