Barbershop awarded €1,000 in recognition of shopfront design

LONG-established Whitehall Road West barbershop, Leo’s Barber Shop, have been awarded €1,000 in recognition of the work undertaken to transform the shopfront design of its business premises.

Leo’s Barbers, received €1,000 from South Dublin County Council under the Council’s annual Shopfront Grant Scheme.

The award of Best Designed Shopfront was in addition to a grant received to part fund the installation of an improved shopfront design.

“I would like to congratulate Leo’s Barber Shop on winning Best Designed Shopfront as part of the Shopfront Grant Scheme 2023”, said Mayor Alan Edge.

“It was lovely to chat to David and Mohamed and to their customers, one of whom has been coming to this family business since David’s dad, Leo, founded it more than 50 years ago.

“The vision shown by David and his staff to improve the aesthetics of their fantastic community-based business exemplifies the goals and aspirations of Shopfront Grant Scheme.

“I am delighted to see the results of the work and the positive impact it has on the locality.”

The annual Shopfront Grant Scheme provides grants for shopfront improvements ranging from painting updates to replacing an entire shopfront.

Grants are available for a maximum of 50% of overall costs.

Furthermore, a prize of €1,000 is awarded for the Best Designed Shopfront under the scheme.

South Dublin County Council are delighted to launch the scheme for 2024, for the eleventh successive year.

The council would encourage local businesses to apply for this year’s scheme, which is currently open for applications.

Business owners/ operators of independently owned shops which front onto public streets are eligible to apply.

Under the 2023 scheme, Leo’s Barber Shop were granted approval for a complete shopfront renovation.

This included painting, replacement signage, and the addition of vinyl designs.

The works carried out have made a significant improvement to the design of the long established and popular barber shop, exemplifying the benefits of the scheme for business owners.

“In 2022 we became aware of the SDCC Shopfront Grant Scheme and applied for a grant in 2023, to update the shopfront with new signage and lettering to improve appearance and attract more customers, says David McCurtin, owner of Leo’s Barber Shop.

“The procedure was so easy and with the help of SDCC staff we had our new shopfront within weeks.

“ When we heard that we were chosen as winner of Best Designed Shopfront 2023 we were overjoyed.

“It was great to meet the team who helped us to achieve this and thank them personally.

“Our business has increased significantly, and we have lots of people commenting on our shop front daily.

“We would urge anyone who is in business to avail of this grant as the rewards are great.

“We love our now shop front and can’t thank SDCC enough”.