Retail+ Carlow County Council’s Retail Enhancement Support Programme 2021 for County Carlow Launched

Carlow County Council are inviting businesses to design and develop your business in 2021 by engaging in our Retail+ Programme which is a combined Paint Scheme and Mentoring/Training Programme designed specifically for Retail

Click here for  Programme Information Sheet

Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Cllr. Tom O’Neill said, “I’m delighted to support this new funding scheme from the Local Enterprise Office, which will help our businesses to reopen with style in 2021.” The Cathaoirleach continued to say, “I know 2020 has been a difficult year for all and the first half of 2021 as well, and we in Carlow County Council are keen to play our part in supporting businesses for reopening.” Tom continued to say, “I’d like to thank Pierce Kavanagh , Tommie Hickson & Helen Ryan from the Local Enterprise Office who put the new programme together and manage the scheme for the Local Enterprise Office.”

Speaking about the Retail+ support Programme for 2021, Economic Development Officer with the Local Enterprise Office, Pierce Kavanagh, said, “this new scheme is designed with your business in mind, to enhance your shop front and window display and to give you the tools to create a ‘whole of shop’ approach to marketing your business.” Pierce continued to say, “this year we’ve also tried to make it easier to apply and therefore all applications must be submitted via Submit.com which will streamline the application and drawdown process.”

Helen Ryan, Assistant Head of Enterprise & Economic Development (Acting) with the Local Enterprise Office said, “After the devastation that Covid-19 wrought on our business community, Carlow County Council wish to provide the best support possible for reopening in 2021, and this new scheme aims to provide not just financial support for enhancing the front of your business, but also mentoring and training on how to best use the front of your premises to market your business.”

Explaining the Scheme , Helen continued to say “For 2021 we had to redesign how we support businesses across the County and this new scheme provides both financial and mentoring support to assist businesses reopen after a very difficult time.” Concluding, Helen said, “We hope that as many businesses as possible will engage with this scheme, and further information is available on our website at www.localenterprise.ie/carlow or by calling our office on 059 9129 783 or to register https://leocarlow.submit.com.  

Ends

For further information contact Helen Ryan on hryan@carlowcoco.ie or call 059-9129783

Design & Develop Your Business for 2021

Carlow County Council are inviting businesses to design and develop your business in 2021 by engaging in our Retail+ Programme which is a combined Paint Scheme and Mentoring/Training Programme designed specifically for Retail, which will include:

• Paint Scheme 2021 for Painting the Front of Your Premises
• Design Mentoring for Colours / Window Design / Merchandising / Use of Outdoor Space, etc.
• Retail Training for How to Best Use your Premises to Market Your Business

Improve the front of your premises through painting and shop front improvements including painting, window design, merchandising, and training for use of outdoor spaces in this ‘whole of shop’ approach, with financial supports alongside training and mentoring for each successful applicant.

• Closing Date for Expressions of Interest (EOI) – 1^st April 2021
• Information Session – Monday 12^th April 2021 @ 7pm
• Closing Date for Full Applications – 30^th April 2021
• Financial Aid will be 80% financed by Carlow County Council (subject to the maximum amount of €1,000 excluding vat per premises), with the remainder of costs being paid by the applicants. The training and mentoring element of the scheme will be funded entirely by Carlow County Council in partnership with Enterprise Ireland.

Each successful applicant will receive:

• Financial support for painting the front of a premises
• And/or financial support for window design and merchandising

Each applicant will also receive training & mentoring designed specifically to retail, and must do two of the following training modules:

• Retail Sector Trends & Customer Experience (Compulsory)
  • Window Design and Merchandising mentoring/training
  • Social Media training, particularly in video
  • Outdoor mentoring/training for signage, use of  outdoor space

Modules and works and drawdown of funds must be completed by 31^st August 2021. Any remaining funds within the budget will be spent by Carlow County Council on other projects after that date.

This is specially designed for Retailers featuring leading mentors in retail, design, digital marketing sales and social media in a practical, success-oriented programe running from May to August 2021.

MAKE 2021 YOUR BEST YEAR YET!

Supported by a team of retail professionals, working to a goal of helping your business design & develop to cope with the challenges of Covid19 and Brexit, the Retail+ programme includes:

1. Retail Health Check  Diagnostic: an assessment of your current Business Premises
2. Mentoring Sessions - you select the skills you need
3. Specialist Masterclass Webinars - learn from those who have walked in your shoes
4. Financial Aid for Painting,Shopfront Improvements,and/or Window Display

You will come away with your personal Design & Develop Action Plan that details all you need to do to achieve maximum business growth for 2021/22.

EXPERT SUPPORTS FOR YOUR RETAIL BUSINESS

YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS GROUND-BREAKING OPPORTUNITY TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS

Registration By 1^ST April 2021:

1. Register your interest on Submit.com
2. Receive confirmation approval from your Carlow LEO Office     
3. Save the Date: Monday 12^th April 2021 at 7pm for the Information Webinar

Places are strictly limited.

Submit your expression of interest as soon as possible on Submit.com with the following details:

• Business Name & Address of Premises
• What type of business you are in
• How many people you employ
• Phone number, email  address, website (if you have one) and/or social media handles

Strategy & Planning ¦ Trading and Display Strategy ¦ Visual Merchandising ¦ Digital Refocus ¦ 1-2-1 Mentoring Tailored to your Business ¦ Commit to your Design & Develop Programme

INVEST IN YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS