Non-town centre businesses in Carrickfergus and Larne areas urged to apply for £2k recovery grants

Funded by the Department for Communities (DfC) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the initiative will help deliver measures that provide a safer and more welcoming environment for visitors, shoppers and workers in premises located outside town centres.

In September, concern was voiced that some villages in rural east Antrim were missing out on the first tranche of funding for town centre recovery. Read here

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, said: “Businesses which are located outside town centre boundaries now have the welcome opportunity to apply for funding to help them put enhanced safety measures in place to allow them to operate in line with public health guidelines.

“I have been overwhelmed by the resilience of our local businesses to the many challenges that have emerged during the Covid-19 crisis, and by the efforts of all those who have gone above and beyond to ensure the safety of their customers and staff.

“I would encourage as many eligible businesses in our borough to familiarise themselves with this latest grant support scheme. Council’s grants team are on hand to offer advice and assistance with any queries, so please do get in touch.”

Edwin Poots MLA, DAERA Minister, commented: “I am delighted that this additional tranche of funding is being used to deliver more medium term interventions which will provide a safe environment for visitors, shoppers and workers within villages and rural towns.

“It is very important that the Executive, in partnership with local councils, provides assistance to businesses and helps to revitalise our rural settlements at this time.”

Council pointed out that businesses with premises located within town centre boundaries are not eligible to apply for this grant scheme. Grants can cover a wide variety of expenditure, including PPE equipment, internal social distancing measures, signage, contactless payment or app development for booking systems, upgrades to shop frontage, awnings/canopies, outdoor furniture, heaters, queueing systems, PA/tannoy systems and digital screens.

The opening of the grants scheme goes hand in hand with council’s innovative #RediscoverMEA campaign, a key strand of which is aimed at encouraging citizens to support small businesses safely.

The scheme opened yesterday (Thursday) and will close on Monday, December 7, or earlier if the available funds are allocated. The budget is limited and funding will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

To apply, use the following link: https://mea.eformz.info/ or for further information email [email protected]

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