Kilkenny Al Fresco: New outdoor scheme to bring a taste of Europe to city and county
A new scheme will deliver permanent outdoor social and hospitality areas throughout Kilkenny city and county.
The funding, which has been delivered in partnership between Fáilte Ireland and Kilkenny County Council, help tourism and hospitality businesses develop and increase their outdoor seating capacity to try and create a European style dining experience.
The local funding is part of a €17 million national scheme unveiled by the Government this week.
Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan said the scheme will enable the council to develop permanent outdoor public dining spaces across the county.
The local Fine Gael TD said: “The new Outdoor Dining Scheme has two aims. It will enable individual tourism and hospitality businesses to increase their dining and seating capacity in the short-term and will also create a long-term strategy for our local authority to develop appropriate, permanent, weatherproofed outdoor dining infrastructure in Kilkenny city and county.
“Developing outdoor dining and socialising spaces will help to improve the vibrancy of our towns across Kilkenny and bring them more in line with the European model,” added Deputy Phelan.
The outdoor dining enhancement scheme is open to individual tourism and hospitality businesses including hotels, cafes, restaurants and attractions where food is sold for consumption on the premises.
Applicants can apply for a grant of up to €4,000 to cover the costs for outdoor tables, chairs, umbrellas, electric heaters, screen/ windbreaks, plant stands and wooden platforms.
Local authorities can apply for up to €400,000 in funding across two locations to upgrade and enhance streets and public spaces and implement weather-proofing solutions which will facilitate year-round outdoor dining in urban tourism centres.
This funding is aimed at creating permanent weatherproof structures, which include parasols, electric heaters and windbreakers and screens. Permanent roof structures and awnings will also be considered.
The scheme will remain open for applications until April 12 through Local Authority websites.
