How outdoor improvement grants are supporting local businesses

As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, scores of businesses and organisations across Bridgend County Borough have received funding to make outdoor adaptations that will help to keep their customers safe.

Using money provided by Bridgend County Borough Council, the Valleys Task Force and Welsh Government’s Targeted Regeneration Investment initiative, the Outdoor Improvements Covid-19 Recovery Fund has targeted external areas where customers and members of the public can congregate, rest or enjoy food and drink.

Commercial property and business owners have been able to apply for grants of up to £10,000 for adaptations ranging from outdoor canopies and furniture to planters, outdoor heating, screens and more.

The grant provides funding of up to 80 per cent or a maximum value of £10,000 of the total eligible improvement costs, with a minimum of 20 per cent of the total project costs met by the applicant.

So far, 58 local businesses have benefitted from the scheme and further applications are currently being processed. Businesses supported to date include:

• The Potting Shed
• Wiggley's Fun Farm
• The  Caeffatri
• Jolly Sailor
• Adventure Activity Centre
• Prince of Wales
• Bridgend Tennis Club
• Harrys Bar
• The Pen-y-bont
• Unit 1 The Esplanade
• The Three Horseshoes
• The Sidewalk Café
• Bridgend Municipal Bowls Club
• Casey’s Café
• Talbot Dental Practice
• Iced Gems
• Il Panino
• Huna Bar
• Coed Y Mwstwr Hotel
• Angel Inn
• Hi-Tide Inn
• The Royal Oak
• The Three Horseshoes
• Wickhams Stores
• Oddfellows
• El Prado
• The Globe
• Tino Sidoli
• Pencoed RFC
• Kenfig Hill Rugby Club
• Maesteg Cricket Club
• Tondu RFC
• The Federation Bar
• The Coach
• The Old Bakery Café
• Deano’s Café
• The Welsh Deli
• The McNamara Arms
• The Fruit Bowl
• Fablas
• Finnegans (New Road)
• Finnegans (Well Street)
• Janz Art
• Grand Pavilion
• Porthcawl Museum
• Crumbs
• The Corner House
• The Old House
• The Blaenogwr
• Llangeinor Arms
• Maesteg Celtic Ltd
• Heol-Y-Cyw Workingmen’s Sports and Social Club
• Heol y Cyw RFC
• Maesteg Cricket Club
• Sian’s Dance School
• Bryngarw County Park

I’m pleased to see that businesses all across the county borough have made use of this scheme, which is a partnership between Welsh Government and the local authority.

Traders have faced many challenges during the pandemic, so we are pleased to support these improvements that will enable people to socially distance when using external areas of these businesses, whether they are waiting, dining or resting.

Businesses are reminded that when applying for or receiving a grant such as this, you must also remember to check to see if planning permission is required for any improvements that you may have planned.

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Charles Smith