Rotarians in Tullamore in Leinster have launched a grant scheme for traders in the town to buy outdoor furniture to encourage more visitors to the town centre.
It follows an announcement by Offaly County Council that they will not be collecting street furniture licensing fees in a bid to help traders who have been struggling during COVID-19.
The scheme which is part of the county council’s ‘Town and Village Renewal Scheme – Accelerated Measure in Response to COVID-19’ which is supporting businesses in Offaly, Laois and Kildare
The street furniture initiative has the backing of the local authority, along with a number of local groups including the Offaly Local Development Company and Tullamore Chamber.
Rotarians in Tullamore in Leinster have launched a grant scheme for traders in the town to buy outdoor furniture to encourage more visitors to the town centre.
It allows traders to purchase quality furniture at a significantly reduced cost in the hope it will stimulate more economic activity in the newly revamped town centres.
“The project will create a continental style streetscape, making use of the public realm, while allowing for social distancing,” said Tullamore & District Rotary on their Facebook page.
“A style of furniture has been chosen for consistency throughout the town.”
In total, the Rotary club will be supplying 32 tables and 128 chairs to local businesses. The furniture is made of durable resin that is waterproof and easily sanitised without compromising the material.
The street furniture initiative has the backing of the local authority, along with a number of local groups including the Offaly Local Development Company and Tullamore Chamber.”
All traders are required to apply for a licence from the county council, and the annual fee will be discounted for all applications made before September 30th.
Offally Council Council has extended the Shopfront Enhancement Grant Scheme until October 8th.
The maximum grant permitted is 50% of costs (excluding VAT) with a maximum grant payment of €2,000.
The scheme is open for applications from local businesses/retail premises in all towns and villages in Offaly, excluding Tullamore Town.
In Ireland, bars, cafes, hotels and restaurants can open with protective measures in place. Groups should be limited to six people from no more than six households. This includes ‘wet pubs’, and pubs that do not serve food.
Meanwhile, on the east coast of Ireland, Drogheda Rotary has received financial support from a Gaelic sports club to help their community work during the pandemic.
Members of Oliver Plunketts GAA spent their time during lockdown fund-raising by collectively running, jogging and walking 5,000 kilometres in close proximity to their own homes – the distance from Drogheda to Rome and back.
On the east coast of Ireland, Drogheda Rotary has received financial support from a Gaelic sports club to help their community work during the pandemic.
The club have an app which recorded each person’s progress, as well as the times and distances covered as they collectively work towards the 5,000km goal.
Now, the GAA club has handed over €7,620 to both the Rotary club and also Drogheda Homeless Aid. The Rotary club will be using their contribution to fund the meals being distributed to the elderly in the area.
“The response received from everyone within the club, players, parents, coaches, members and the wider community blew us away. It was phenomenal,’ said Oliver Plunketts GAA press officer, Jeff Finnegan, speaking to the Drogheda Independent.
The response received from everyone within the club, players, parents, coaches, members and the wider community blew us away.”
“We finally got a chance to present both charities with their cheques, and once again, the club would like to extend our huge gratitude to everyone who took part in this challenge whether it was clocking the kilometres or donating money.
Attending the presentation were Michael McAllister and Robert Taylor from Drogheda Rotary Maureen Ward from Drogheda Homeless Aid, Oliver Plunketts senior players Barry Reynolds and Robbie Brodigan and Chairman Aonghus Ó hEochaidh.
