A £1.7m boost to help town centres and rural businesses recover from COVID-19 has been welcomed by Sinn Fein.

Upper Bann MLA John O’Dowd said: “This is a welcome boost for our town centres and rural businesses in helping them to recover from what has been a very difficult year.

“The additional funding will be used to provide further support for schemes managed by local Councils, with £1.4m from DfC going towards grants in the larger urban towns and £300,000 from DAERA providing similar business support in smaller rural settlements.

“This additional funding brings the total investment and support for our town centres and rural businesses to over £19 million.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 11th September 2019 - Picture Matt Mackey / Press Eye.

Sinn Fein's annual 'Away Day' meeting will take place in the Carrickdale Hotel, Co. Louth on Wednesday 11th September.

The meeting is attended by elected representatives from across the island and will address the issues of Brexit, Irish Unity, Sinn Fein's alternative budget and Dail priorities.
John O'Dowd — Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 11th September 2019 - Picture Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Sinn Fein's annual 'Away Day' meeting will take place in the Carrickdale Hotel, Co. Louth on Wednesday 11th September. The meeting is attended by elected representatives from across the island and will address the issues of Brexit, Irish Unity, Sinn Fein's alternative budget and Dail priorities. John O'Dowd

placeholder image — Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 11th September 2019 - Picture Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Sinn Fein's annual 'Away Day' meeting will take place in the Carrickdale Hotel, Co. Louth on Wednesday 11th September. The meeting is attended by elected representatives from across the island and will address the issues of Brexit, Irish Unity, Sinn Fein's alternative budget and Dail priorities. John O'Dowd

“This grant will assist businesses, shops, retailers and workers to ensure their premises are safe and secure to tackle the pandemic.

Mr O’Dowd said: “There were many businesses disappointed in the first tranche of funding and I will be lobbying the Council to assist those businesses in securing much needed funding this time round.”

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