Streets eligible for Carlow Shop Front Enhancement Scheme 2023 announced

Carlow County Council are inviting traders to enhance your business by engaging in our Carlow Town Shop Front Enhancement Scheme 2023, a paint scheme designed specifically for retail premises.

The purpose of the scheme is to improve the front of your premises through painting and shop front improvements including painting, repairs, decluttering, window design, and merchandising in this ‘whole of shop’ approach, with financial supports for each successful applicant.

For the Carlow Town Shop Front Enhancement Scheme 2023, the following streets are eligible to apply:

Tullow Street Lower, Tullow Street Upper, Castle Street, Kennedy Avenue, Dublin Street, Potato Market, Barrack Street.

The closing date for applications – 31st March 2023

Financial aid will be 80% of eligible costs financed by Carlow County Council, with the remainder of costs being paid by the applicant.

Upgrade works can include painting, repairs, decluttering (removal of old wiring, etc.), new signage, outside lighting, window display design/merchandising.

The minimum upgrade is €1,250 which will result in a grant of €1,000, and more substantial upgrades are permissible.

Enhancement works, and drawdown of funds must be completed by 31st August 2023. Any remaining funds within the budget will be spent by Carlow County Council on other projects after that date.

Applications via https://leocarlow.submit.com with confirmation approval to be received from your Carlow LEO Office 

Once the works are completed, fund can be drawn down by August 31st, 2023

Carlow Co Council says places are strictly limited and are not open to completed applications from 2022.

Speaking about the Carlow Town Shop Front Enhancement Scheme 2023, Economic Development Officer with the Local Enterprise Office, Pierce Kavanagh, said: “This scheme is designed with your business in mind, to enhance your shop front and window display and to give you the tools to create a ‘whole of shop’ approach to marketing your business.”

“Like last year all applications must be submitted via https://leocarlow.submit.com and we’ve simplified the application and drawdown process to make it easier for businesses to apply and drawdown the funds for their business.”

Cllr Fintan Phelan, Mayor of Carlow Municipal District, said: “I’m delighted to support this funding scheme from the Local Enterprise Office for Carlow Town to help enhance the look of our Town Centre, which will help our businesses to grow with style in 2023.”

The Mayor continued to say: “I know these have been difficult times for all and we in Carlow County Council are keen to play our part in supporting businesses as much as possible”.