Plan launched to stimulate Balbriggan economy

AN action plan has been launched to boost the local economy in Dublin’s most northerly town. 

Fingal County Council, in conjunction with Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce and local councillors, launched the broad ranging plan entitled ‘Stimulating the Balbriggan Economy’.    

The plan will comprise short-term initiatives and medium term proposals aimed at reinvigorating the town centre, promoting tourism and fostering long-term prosperity.

Fingal County Council chief executive Paul Reid welcomed the plan. Mr Reid said the actions are designed to give a short-term boost to local economic prospects in Balbriggan and establish the conditions for longer-term growth.  “Balbriggan has the potential to be a vibrant and dynamic commercial hub and this plan, with the enthusiastic help of Balbriggan Chamber and councillors, aims to maximise this potential,” he said. 

The first element of the plan is a pilot initiative, the Balbriggan Town Shop Front Enhancement Grant Scheme 2016.

This will involve providing advice and financial assistance to business owners to improve shop fronts and commercial properties on Balbriggan Main Street.

Grant funding of up to 75 per cent of eligible costs is available to replace and renovate shop fronts or to paint shop fronts in the town centre.

The council is now seeking expressions of interest from owners, leaseholders or tenants of commercial properties in designated locations in Balbriggan Town Centre who wish to avail of the scheme.  

Interested business owner are advised to send in their expression of interest request with the following message: “I am interested in availing of the shopfront enhancement grant scheme” and specifying if it is for the shop front replacement scheme or the paint scheme or both. These should be sent to shopfrontscheme@fingal.ie on or before August 26.

Ed Hearne, Director of Economic Enterprise and Tourism Development with Fingal County Council, said: “The expression of interest will provide us with the information that will help us match the level of interest in this pilot initiative with the level of financial resources the council is making available.”

Local councillors Tony Murphy (Ind), Grainne Maguire (Ind) and Malachy Quinn (SF) in a joint statement, said: “We welcome this Shop Front Enhancement Grant Scheme which has the scope to greatly improve the streetscape in Balbriggan and we will be promoting this among local businesses to maximise the positive potential of the scheme.  

“We look forward to working with Fingal County Council, Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce and local community groups in relation to the longer term aims of the action plan, with a view to delivering Balbriggan’s economic potential.”