Outdoor seating scheme proves popular with local businesses
UP TO 100 businesses in South Dublin County, including many pubs, successfully received support for the Outdoor Seating & Accessories for Tourism & Hospitality Business’ scheme.
The scheme was launched by Minister Catherine Martin in March 2021, to provide support to the hospitality and tourism sector, as the industry struggled to keep up with multiple lockdowns, social distancing and restrictions.
Many hotels, restaurants, cafés, and public houses in the county used the opportunity to create or improve an outdoor area of their premises, if they had one available, to provide safe and clear spaces.
The scheme was purely for establishments where food is sold for consumption on the premises.
Among those who benefited were The Rathcoole Inn, The Eden House, Rathfarnham, The Silver Granite, Palmerstown, The Laurels in Clondalkin, The Two Sisters in Terenure, The Penny Black in Tymon, Courtneys in Lucan, Thomas Davis GAA Club, Lucan Spa Hotel, The Maldron Newlands Cross, The Morgue Pub in Templeogue, The Old Mill, The Louis Fitzgerald Hotel and The Kingswood Lodge.
The scheme was extended in June 2021, to November 2021, to include public houses who did not serve food on the premises.
Applicants could apply to the local authority – in this case South Dublin County Council – for a grant of up to €4,000, for up to 75 per cent of the ex-VAT cost of equipment purchased/installed.
Eligible expenditure included tables, chairs, umbrellas, electric heaters, screens/windbreaks, plant stands and wooden platforms.
The scheme was administered through local authorities, who had the right to use their discretion regarding their process and the development of appropriate terms and conditions appropriate for their respective streetscapes, businesses etc.
A council spokesperson said: “All applicants were required to comply with planning codes, legislative requirements and other compliance requirements such as providing a tax clearance certificate, and providing receipts of products purchased before receiving funding.”
