Outdoor Seating and Accessories Scheme open for applications

Tipperary Co Council advises that the Outdoor Seating and Accessories Scheme is open for applications at the following link https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/forms/outdoor-seating-accessories-scheme-application-form

The focus of this scheme is to provide a level of financial support to tourism and hospitality businesses, to purchase or upgrade equipment to provide additional outdoor seating and, therefore, increase their outdoor dining capacity for the summer of 2021. This scheme will financially assist and support independent tourism and hospitality business owners to create outdoor dining experiences in a regulated and accessible manner. Funding under the scheme is only available to existing businesses.

The Outdoor Seating and Accessories for Tourism & Hospitality Business Scheme will be administered through Local Authorities and Tipperary County Council has the right to use its discretion in regard to its process and the development of appropriate terms and conditions that are appropriate for our 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 attractions, hotels, restaurants, cafes, public houses or other tourism and hospitality business establishments where food is sold for consumption on the premises.

Those premises that have no commercial rates outstanding to Tipperary County Council or have a payment plan in place.

2. What Items are considered eligible for the scheme.

Tables

Chairs

Umbrellas

Electric heaters

Screens/windbreaks

Plant stands

Wooden Platform

The tables and chairs or other furniture shall be of robust and stable construction to prevent movement in adverse weather conditions and be agreed with Tipperary County Council.

Screens/windbreakers must be agreed with Tipperary County Council and will be subject to the following conditions;

Screens to be plain, coloured or neutral canvas type, not more than 1 metre high, spanning between or framed by simple metal type posts.

Screens to be manufactured from flame/fire retardant material.

Base plates or weighted bases to screening posts must not extend outside the licensed area.

All screens, posts and bases must be demountable.

Screens must be sufficiently robust to prevent overturning in adverse weather conditions.

No advertising apart from the name of the premises to be used on the screens, without the permission of Tipperary County Council.

3. Amount of Grant Available

The scheme will provide for up to

75% of the ex-VAT cost of equipment purchased/installed with a maximum allowable contribution of up to €4,000 per applicant.

Expenditure must be incurred between

1st April 2020 and 30th September 2021

and payment will be made by Local Authorities to approved applicants on submission of receipts and photography of furniture in situ.

4. Applications for Funding Timeline

The scheme will be open from the 13/04/2021 for applications. Applicants will apply through their relevant Local Authority. The scheme will close on the 30/9/2021.

5. Section 254 Licences

Applicants will need a licence to place on, under, over or along a public road certain items of equipment

A common example is an application for a licence to place tables and chairs outside a hotel, restaurant, public house or other venue. For this reason, sometimes a licence application is referred to as being for a "street furniture" licence, although there are many other items and situations where a licence may be required.

For further information and questions relating to this scheme and Section 254 licences should be directed to the relevant Municipal District by email or call Customer Services at 0761 065000:

Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District | Email: marie.ogorman@tipperarycoco.ie

Clonmel Borough District | Email: jim.dillon@tipperarycoco.ie

Thurles Municipal District | Email: louise.phillips@tipperarycoco.ie

Tipperary Cahir Cashel Municipal District | Email: anthony.coleman@tipperarycoco.ie

Nenagh Municipal District | Email: sharon.sheppard@tipperarycoco.ie