Cycling cafés have been granted €25,000 each to start and develop their facilities under the latest Government plan to change towns and villages to meet the challenges posed by Covid19.
The bad news is
that just two cafés are to receive the money; both of which are located in Co
Kildare. However, further rounds of funding will take place soon and it is
hoped the two cycling cafés awarded the funding in this initial round will be
the first of many.
Existing cafés, delis or even bike shop premises could be eligible for further rounds of funding to develop Cycle Cafés on their properties.
Kildare County
Council had already invited expressions of interest from businesses in the
county who may be interested in hosting a cycling café, which are designed for
groups of cyclists to stop off during rides.
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It appears because
the council was already advanced with its plans that the first batches
of funding went to cycling cafés in the Kildare area.
Already one such premises – the Cartwheel Café in Ballymore Eustace which stickybottle reported on last month – has been developed and Kildare County Council is looking to support a network of such businesses opening across the county.
Under Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2020 - Accelerated Measure Round 1 the two cycle cafés to receive the €25,000 are in Lowtown and Sallins.
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The money has
been awarded to both businesses to “support the establishment of a ‘Cycle Café’
to promote cycling and provide cyclists and cycling groups with a pit stop”.
The awarding of those funds was part of a total €2.8 million awarded to 106 projects in towns and villages all over Ireland by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD yesterday.
The funds are intended “to help rural towns and villages to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic”. Aside from the cycle cafés other measures funded include the widening of walkways and footpaths to make it easier for people to social distance.
Money has also been provided to some business to create sheltered areas, including seating, so people can dine or enjoy a drink outside and to adapt community spaces, playgrounds and other outdoor areas for social distancing.
“This tranche of funding announced today is part of an enhanced €25 million Town and Village Scheme which will continue to rejuvenate rural communities across Ireland,” Minister Humphreys said.
“Further approvals under this hugely popular scheme will
follow in a series of funding rounds that will be announced in the coming
weeks.
“I expect that up to 500 towns and villages will be supported this year under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.”
If people are interested in developing a cycle café on their premises they could begin exploring their options by contacting their local authority.
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