Kildare County Council launches Age Friendly programme at annual Pride of Premises Awards

Kildare County Council has launched the Kildare Age Friendly Programme for 2024, in collaboration with Age Friendly Ireland, which aims to deliver a series of supports, training and accreditation to businesses to assist in the enhancement of age-friendliness county-wide.

The programme was launched at the recent Pride of Premises Awards on 5^th March by Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr. Daragh Fitzpatrick, and Orlaith Carmody, Principal Advisor for Age Friendly Ireland’s (AFI) Business Recognition Programme.

The Age Friendly Programme will form part of the Shopfront Improvement, Universal Accessibility and Age-Friendly (AF) Grant scheme.

Kildare County Council hosted the Pride of Premises Awards which recognise the efforts business owners across Kildare’s five municipal districts in enhancing their premises through Kildare County Council’s Retail Support Schemes.  The event took place in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, and was attended by over 70 businesses, elected members and special guests.

Square Coffee, Athy, was the Overall County Winner while Lips & P’s, Naas, took home the award for Overall Window Merchandising for the second year running.  The award in the Accessibility and Age-Friendly category went to the Castle Inn, Carbury, honouring the parameters and requirements of universal accessibility. 

Opening the Awards, the Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Councillor Daragh Fitzpatrick, said “I’m delighted to launch Kildare County Council’s Age-Friendly programme, and we are keen to assist businesses in embracing age-friendliness and universal accessibility on their premises. The statistics show that over 50% of spending in our towns and villages is attributable to those over 55 so we’ll be encouraging businesses across the County to apply for grant aid, attend the training sessions and receive accreditation to become age-friendly champions. 

Sonya Kavanagh, KCC Chief Executive, said “The economic benefits derived from the proactive engagement of the County’s businesses with Kildare County Council’s Retail Support Scheme. In 2023, we approved funding of €159,851 for 97 businesses to enhance their shopfronts and premises; this funding also draws on the Window Merchandising Grant appreciating the seasonality element of doing business locally.  Smart shopfronts make a town feel more prosperous, improve its image and contribute towards a stronger sense of identity and universal accessibility provides equality for all citizens. The awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise the efforts of the business community to promote and develop an enhanced customer experience.”

Awards were also given to winners and runners-up across each of the 5 Municipal Districts in County Kildare. The Retail E-Commerce Champion and the Retail Sustainability Champion were inaugurated this year and were awarded to Sundae Scoops and the Maynooth Bookshop respectively for their application of the Kildare Local Enterprise Office’s advisory and grant support.

Kildare County Council, Pride of Premises Awards 2024 Results:

Closing the event, Jacqui McNabb, Head of Enterprise and Economic Development for Kildare County Council, commended the businesses on their efforts and encouraged businesses to continue their uptake of Kildare County Council’s support in 2024 and to give special consideration to the Council’s Age-Friendly programme.

You can find out more information about Kildare County Council support at: www.localenterprise.ie/Kildare/ or by phoning 045 980838.