Galway city centre businesses left out of shopfront funding scheme to be included in 2027
Galway City Council committed to include Eyre Square and Woodquay businesses in the Shopfront Enhancement scheme next year after the areas were deemed ineligible to apply for funds in 2026.
Businesses in Woodquay and Eyre Square will be eligible to apply for Galway City Council’s Shopfront Enhancement scheme in 2027.
The scheme financially supports exterior refurbishments like re-lettering, painting, and signage. It also supports bi-lingual signage, increased accessibility, and protection of historic and cultural structures.
Those areas have not been included in the remit of the scheme as the funding was approved for specific locations only.
The Galleon in Salthill was awarded €20,000 for artisitic collaboration and building heritage. © Google Maps
A local Woodquay business owner told the Irish Independent that just steps away from their business, down Eglinton Street, are shopfronts who were successful in securing funding.
However, they could not avail of the scheme despite Woodquay having “more family-run, local businesses than in all of Galway,” they said.
They added that a “fair chunk” of neighbouring businesses in Woodquay and Eyre Square would be eager to apply for the grant.
Lazlo jewellers sits at the top of Shop St and was awarded €20k. © Google Maps
This year’s Shopfront Enhancement Scheme saw 44 applications requesting nearly €600,000 in Galway.
Galway City Council awarded a total of €275,000 to 38 businesses across the city.
Eglinton Court OMC, Lazlo Jewellers, Fallers, The Cellar Bar and the Galleon in Salthill were awarded maximum funding of up to €20,000. Other places in Salthill were also awarded funding, including Gourmet Food Parlour, The Nest Boutique Hostel, and Mocha Beans. Mr M Vape was awarded €3,562 for their Merchants Road location.
The scheme allows for up to 75pc of eligible costs to be covered under the funding.