Service
Access the Outdoor Seating & Accessories for Tourism & Hospitality Business scheme
From Galway City Council
Published on
Last updated on
From Galway City Council
Published on
Last updated on
In March an ‘Outdoor Seating & Accessories for Tourism & Hospitality Business’ scheme was launched. The inclusion of non-food serving pubs was announced earlier this summer.
This extended scheme will now provide a level of financial support to attractions, hotels, restaurants, cafés, public houses or other establishments where food is sold for consumption on the premises and now Pubs (including non-food serving) to purchase or upgrade equipment to provide additional outdoor seating and, therefore, increase their outdoor capacity for the summer of 2021. Funding under the scheme is only available to existing businesses.
This scheme has been developed to enable individual tourism and hospitality businesses to increase their seating capacity in the short-term by increasing their own outdoor seating capacity. A consistent and high quality standard in street furniture is required to enhance the appeal of outdoor spaces in Galway and help create confidence in people returning to hospitality businesses.
Through this scheme our aim is to support the hospitality sector, and open up appropriate spaces within Galway City for outdoor use, developing them as safe, welcoming and vibrant places.
For businesses availing of public land for outdoor furniture a Section 254 license or a Temporary Covid Street Furniture Permit must be in place before availing of the scheme. See below for more information and to apply for a temporary permit. All fees have been waived for these licenses for the remainder of 2021.
We strongly encourage businesses to apply or engage with Galway City Council if they desire outdoor seating. We are keen to work with businesses to facilitate outdoor dining and public realm such as parking spaces, loading bays, public roads may be made available if appropriate.
The scheme is now open and will close on the 30th September 2021
For business applying for outdoor furniture in private lands appropriate planning permission must be in place.
Galway City Council will require applicants to submit receipts and photography of furniture in situ (Closing date to submit receipts is the 15th October 2021).
Applicants can apply for a grant of up to €4,000 (for up to 75% of the ex-VAT cost of equipment purchased).
Eligible Expenditure will include outdoor tables, chairs, umbrellas/canopies, electric heaters, screens/windbreaks, plant stands & wooden platforms etc.
Expenditure must be incurred or have been incurred between 1st April 2020 and 30th September 2021
Please Note: Galway City Council is administering this scheme on behalf of Fáilte Ireland