Council hails success of grants to spruce up Patrick Street shopfronts

Cork City Council has said it is very pleased with the quality and impact of works completed under its schemes to improve Patrick St.

The facade improvement grant provides financial assistance of up to €10,000 to the owners of individual properties on the city’s main street to help them enhance their building frontages.

It has two elements, the first being the St Patrick’s Street painting grant scheme, designed to help improve building facades through painting and minor external works.

Grant support of up to €5,000, or 25% of the costs of the work (excluding Vat), whichever is lower, is available.

The second element, the St Patrick’s Street shopfront grant scheme, is focused on helping to upgrade and restore shopfronts at street level, and will encourage businesses to adopt traditional designs that enhance the historic streetscape.

Grant support of up to €5,000, or 25% of costs (excluding Vat), whichever is lower, is available.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council told The Echo in June, six months after the scheme had opened, that it would have hoped for a higher uptake of the grant, but added that applications were still open. Since then, there has been an increase in uptake.

A council spokesperson said recently: “The transformation of properties, including 76 St Patrick’s Street, along with several neighbouring buildings, has made a significant contribution to the appearance and character of St Patrick’s Street.

“Combined with the installation by Cork City Council of new planters on the city’s main street, these investments are helping to create a more attractive and welcoming environment for shoppers, visitors, and businesses.”

They explained that the initial deadline for applications was extended beyond its original closing date, and it remains open to applications.

“Since the extension was announced, a number of additional applications have been received, and they are being assessed,” the spokesperson said.