Council receives over 50 applications to Town Centre Revitalisation grant scheme

More than 50 local businesses have applied for financial assistance to help them recover from the impact of Covid-19 under the Town Centre Revitalisation Scheme which opened for applications at the start of this month, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s elected members have been told.

The Programme, funded by the Department for Communities (DfC) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), will help deliver measures that provide a safer and more welcoming environment for visitors, shoppers and workers within our town centres and large villages.

The Covid-19 emergency has had a detrimental impact across our three largest town centres and rural villages.

The funding scheme will complement the significant effort by Council’s Economic Development and Town Centre teams to support our business community during the recovery phase, which has also seen the distribution of 700 retail recovery support packs, webinars, grant application support, funded training, risk assessment support and marketing activities.

Businesses in the town centres of Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus, as well as the villages of Ahoghill, Broughshane, Cullybackey and Whitehead who meet the eligibility criteria were invited to apply for the grants earlier this month.

To date, 54 businesses have applied to the scheme.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Peter Johnston, said: “Our town centres are at the very heart of our local communities and this investment by DfC and DAERA is well-deserved recognition of the critical role they play in driving our local economy.

“The Town Centre Recovery Group which was set up has been working tirelessly to do all they can to assist businesses through this difficult period and these grants will only aid that recovery.”

To find out more details and to apply please login to the grants portal at https://mea.eformz.info/

Should you have any queries about what the grant will cover contact recoverygrants@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

The programme budget is limited, and funding will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The application process will close on 28 September 2020, or earlier if the available funds are allocated.