Re-opening Blackrock Safely for All – a beautiful new safe space
Blackrock has been transformed by measures to provide safe, easy to navigate space for people, support for reopening businesses, and active mobility options for pedestrians and cyclists. This has resulted in widened footpaths and better adherence to the social distancing protocols both while walking/cycling and also while queuing to enter shops, banks and other outlets. Blackrock is being used as the exemplar for other towns throughout the county.
Already the changes have brought more people onto the street with a definite buzz and vibrancy that wasn’t as evident before. These changes are great for the local community and we need you now to come down to the Village and use your hard earned euro to support your local shops and businesses.
Some #’s to use for social media #BlackrockVillage so as not to be confused with any other Blackrock villages or businesses and of course #shoplocal
Illegal Parking in the Village
The Council’s practice with regard to parking is to implement a management system that controls parking to the benefit of local residents or business communities and to provide a greater turnover and availability of spaces. The changes to reallocate space on Rock Hill and Main Street have resulted in the loss of a small number of parking spaces and it is more important than ever that these spaces are available to customers who shop or use services in the Village.
The Village is having a significant problem with cars from outside the jurisdiction parking all day and ignoring tickets with impunity. The BBN is working closely with the appropriate authorities to deal with this issue so that hard pressed traders are not starved of much needed business from their loyal customers.
Series of Podcasts
Blackrock Business & Community Network in conjunction with www.apexmedia.ie is running a series of podcasts with businesses and community services that are related to or impact Blackrock village. The podcasts will be featured on our website www.blackrock.ie, promoted on BBN’s social media platforms before and after postings, and emailed out to the membership base of over 1k, with an excellent open rate of over 60%. There will also be a video of each podcast and participants will receive an mp3 and mp4 copy to use as they wish e.g. for their website or social media.
In advance of each podcast interviewees will receive a list of questions for looking over. This is not an interrogation but a friendly discussion where you can inform the local audience of your involvement with #BlackrockVillage. Each podcast will run for c. 20mins and interviews are held on a Wednesday in the village.
Upcoming interviews with BFEI and with Urban Junction are already in the pipeline, with interest from many others. There is a small cost involved in the making of these podcasts, and a number of business have already committed to sponsoring. If the opportunity for taking part in/sponsoring an interview is something that your business or community service would like more information on, we would be delighted to hear from you. Interview with Tom Feeney – Chairman Blackrock Business & Community Network! Listen Now. Click here
Restart Grant Plus
Up to €25,000 available to help businesses re-open
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD today opened applications to the Restart Grant Plus Scheme, which gives grants to businesses to help them reopen and save jobs.
This is a sizable measure to assist small businesses and traders should not be afraid to apply and avail of this significant grant.
The Restart Grant Plus is a key part of the government’s July Stimulus package, a €7.4bn package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of Covid-19.
Speaking today, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said:
“We must do everything we can to help businesses reopen and get people back to work. We are increasing the Restart Grant Plus, which means that small and medium sized businesses can now get between €4,000 and €25,000 to help them get back on their feet after what has been an exceptionally difficult time.
“Hairdressers, sports clubs, cafes, restaurants and several other businesses can use this money to help with the costs associated with re-opening and adapting to what is a very different environment. This is just one of several actions the Government is taking as part of the July Stimulus to help businesses.”
Key changes to the Restart Grant Plus Scheme:
- €300m additional funding in addition to €250m previously committed
- Grant amount has increased substantially. Minimum grant is now €4,000 and maximum is €25,000. Previous grant amounts were €2,000 and €10,000 respectively
- Medium sized companies now eligible Companies with up to 250 employees can now apply (previously the grant was for companies with less than 50 employees)
- Increased eligibility Non-rateable B&Bs, sports clubs with commercial activities and trading charity shops are now eligible
Businesses that received a grant under the first scheme can re-apply to local authorities to receive additional funding. For first-time applicants under Restart Plus, the minimum grant is €4,000 and the maximum is €25,000.
Its all happening in Blackrock Market!
The Blackrock Market is a very lively place these days! All restaurants are offering a take-away as well as a sit down service. There is live music in the market every Saturday and Sunday at lunch-time. Many new traders have joined the market this year to include a fresh flower shop, Potty Mouth indoor plants; a menswear shop; and a new French Interior Shop. There was also filming in the market this year for an American TV Show – “Home Hunters” – and many of the regular customers to the market made an appearance. Never a dull moment in the bustling market nestled in the heart of Blackrock Village! You can follow on Instagram and Facebook for an update on all their new events.
Love DLR County (incl. Blackrock) Shop local, Source local, Click Local
Love DLR is an initiative created by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber to support businesses and the local community.
With a simple message – Shop Local, Source Local, Click Local – they hope to support businesses and the local community throughout the whole county through the current situation.
They have created a survey, aimed at businesses in the county, to find out what you think and what you need. It should take about ten minutes to complete.
The survey is available here and further information is available at www.lovedlr.ie.
There are many opportunities available to apply for funding at the moment. Should you wish to apply for funding under the following schemes, please note the closing dates by which applications must be submitted.
12 August 2020 The Innovate Together Fund (2nd Round) Details here
17 August 2020 Artist in the Community Scheme Bursary Award Details here
26 August 2020 COVID-19 Club Small Grant Scheme – Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership Details here
10 September 2020 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) Funding 2020 Details here
14 September 2020 Equality Fund 2020 – 2023 open for applications Details here
30 September 2020 Comic Relief Fund Details here
30 September 2020 The Healthy Ireland CMHF Small Grants Scheme Details here
9 October 2020 2020/2021 Competitive Open Data Engagement Fund Details here
