Kildare County Council is delighted to announce the launch of Brigid 1500 Retail Window Merchandising Grant Scheme for retailers. The funding scheme opens on Monday 21st November 2023 and closes on Wednesday 1st of February 2024. Brigid 1500 offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of St. Brigid whose influence has had a truly global impact, spanning our local communities, county and far reaching across the globe.
To celebrate Brigid 1500, Kildare County Council is co-ordinating a host of exciting and diverse projects honouring all aspects of Brigid’s life and influence. Brigid has many different legacies; religious, historic, cultural, artistic, symbolic, inspirational and feminist and her name is closely associated with nature, folklore, emigration and peace.
The inclusion of a Retail Window Merchandising Grant Scheme provides our retail community with an opportunity to become involved in the celebrations and generate excitement and display their creativity ahead of St Brigid's Day on 1st February 2024
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR SCHEME
In order to apply for the Brigid 1500 Retail Window Merchandising Grant all applicants must adhere to the following application process:
- Complete the following application form on Submit.com
- It is important that all Costs and Quotations are included
- Do not purchase anything before approval for grant is received
- The Economic Development Unit will appraise the application and notify applicants of decision.
- Only when an application has been granted should the applicant begin works/purchase items.
It is important that the following are included:
- Photo of current exterior/window of premises
- Indicative Costings for purchases (website quotes will suffice). Do not purchase anything before approval for grant is received
- A copy of the header of your business bank statement which includes business name and account details
- Proof of Commercial Rates being paid to Kildare County Council
The Economic Development team will review your application
- Once we review the application, we will respond with decision.
- Once work has been completed your contractor or supplier must then be paid and claim can be submitted to Economic Development Unit
- At this stage, payment can be made to the applicant
Overview
Brigid 1500 Retail Window Merchandising Grant
The focus of this scheme is to provide a level of financial support to retail businesses, in our town centres, to design a shopfront window in commemoration of St. Bridget on her 1500th anniversary. This scheme will financially assist and support independent retail business owners to enhance their window displays or for merchandising for St. Bridget's Day 2023. Funding under the scheme is only available to existing businesses.
The window design/merchandising grant will be administered through Local Authorities and each Local Authority has the right to use their discretion in regard to their process and the development of appropriate terms and conditions that are appropriate for their respective streetscapes, businesses etc. All applicants will be required to comply with planning codes, legislative requirements and other compliance requirements.
1. Who is Eligible?
- The scheme is open to all existing retail businesses to improve their window appeal and/or to celebrate Kildare's connection to St. Brigid on her 1500th anniversary.
- Those premises that have no commercial rates outstanding to Kildare County Council or have a payment plan in place.
2. Amount of Grant Available
The scheme will provide Retail Window Merchandising Grant of 80% funding on eligible expenditure up to a max. of €500.
3. Privacy & Data Protection
Personal information collected by Kildare Council is done so in order for us to process your application. Legally we can process this information as it is necessary for us to comply with our statutory / legal obligations. The protection of your personal data is a key priority for the Council and your data will be processed in line with our Privacy policy which is available at: https://www.kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/YourCouncil/GovernanceandCompliance/DataProtection/DataProtectionStatement/ or hardcopy from our offices at Kildare County Council, Devoy Park, Naas, Co Kildare W91 X77F.
4. Applications for Funding Timeline
The scheme will be open from Monday 21st November 2023 for applications. Applicants will apply through their relevant Local Authority. The scheme will close on Wednesday 1st of February 2024.
Only when approval of funding is received may you make purchases to be funded.
To claim for purchases forward paid receipts for the items approved to the Economic Development Unit
6. Freedom of Information
Applicants should be aware that, under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, information provided by them in this Application may be liable to be disclosed. Applicants are asked to consider if any of the information provided by them in their application should not be disclosed because of its confidentiality or commercial sensitivity. If Applicants consider that certain information is not to be disclosed because of its confidentiality or commercial sensitivity, Applicants must, when providing such information, clearly identify such information and specify the reasons for its confidentiality or commercial sensitivity. If Applicants do not identify information as confidential or commercial sensitive, it is liable to be released in response to a Freedom of Information request without further notice or consultation with the Applicant. Kildare County Council will, where possible, consult with the Applicant about confidential or commercial sensitive information so identified before making a decision on a request received under Freedom of Information.
Any further information requested on the Brigid 1500 Retail Window Merchandising Grant please contact The Business Support Unit, Kildare County Council