Covid-19 Business Recovery & Revitalisation Grant Scheme 2nd Call (Now Closed)

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Covid-19 Business Recovery & Revitalisation Grant Scheme aims to support the economic recovery and revitalisation of local businesses in the district.

The grant scheme provides assistance to local businesses to address some of the operational challenges, assist businesses to adapt to and implement social distancing measures to protect staff and customers.

The capital grant scheme allows businesses to apply for a grant of up to 100% of eligible costs from a minimum of £500 up to a maximum of £2,500 per property there is also an opportunity for businesses to apply as part of a collaborative application and receive up to £7,500 depending on the number of businesses participating.

The funding has been awarded by the Department for Communities for urban town centres and by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for rural areas.

To determine eligibility, applicants must be:

• An Urban or Rural business that own/lease a commercial property located in the Fermanagh and Omagh district.
• A business that can provide a HMC Self-Assessment number, Company Number or Charity Number and is actively trading.
• A business that can provide an up-to-date bank statement (within 3months) which is used for the purpose of the business.

Please note:

Organisations/Groups that are ineligible to apply for grant aid include government organisations, financial institutions, political organisations, churches, community, and voluntary sector groups. Any type of mainstream agricultural activities/services are not eligible. This list is not exhaustive.

Previous applicants who have received grant-aid under the COVID-19 Business Recovery and Revitalisation Grant Scheme are not eligible to apply.

Items already purchased and/or works completed prior to issue of a Letter of Offer is deemed ineligible expenditure and will not be funded under this scheme.

Collaborative projects, up to 3 businesses can apply under one application. The application must provide details of all businesses and the proposed project.

This is a capital grant scheme for property owners/tenants of eligible business/commercial properties to apply for the purchase of new capital items including infrastructure. A minimum grant of £500.00 up to a maximum grant of £2,500 per property is available. Total project costs must not exceed £9,999.99. Collaborative projects can secure funding up to £7,500 (depending on number of project partners) and total project costs must not exceed £15,000.

Eligible improvements may include (this list is not exhaustive).

✓ Infrastructure to meet social distancing requirements.

✓ Awnings/canopies to protect customers who may have to queue to enter business premises.

✓ Outdoor furniture such as covered seating (tables, chairs)

✓ External heaters

✓ Planters

✓ PA/Tannoy

✓ Digital screens and Signage

✓ Equipment to allow widening of footpaths to support social distancing and the safe movement of people through our town centres such as pedestrian safety barriers.

✓ Any adaptions necessary to the internal layout of the business premises to ensure compliance with Covid-19 social distancing protocols (e.g., flexipanels/screens at counters, one way systems, building / remodelling works, etc.).

✓ Equipment to allow the business to operate safely and provide reassurance to customers, e.g. freestanding hand sanitiser stations, etc. Internal/external shopper collection points to avoid customers having to fully enter the business premises.

Please note:

Should your application be successful and if items include structural change to the property, the property owner must give consent at application stage, prior to commencement of works.

Should your application be successful, and items/works require planning permission and/or building control approval, these approvals must be in place prior to commencement of your project.

Adaptions and improvements must enhance and not inhibit accessibility.

Applicants are advised to read the Guidance Notes before submitting an application. 

Online applications are now closed. 

Please email economic.development@fermanaghomagh.com  or telephone 0300 303 1777 with any enquiries.