With funding of €17 million from the Government to support outdoor dining this summer, the Galway City Council must create a plan to support outdoor dining and activities in the city.
This is the view of Fine Gael Galway City Central councillor, Eddie Hoare, who said areas such as The West End, Woodquay, Cross Street, Middle Street, and Eyre Square north would be “ideal locations” for outdoor evening dining this summer “if proper weatherproofing and infrastructures are put in place”.
The Government fund will provide grant aid for businesses in the retail and hospitality sector, and provide up to €200,000 to local authorities for investment in weatherproofing and outdoor dining infrastructure.
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Fine Gael Galway City Central councillor, Eddie Hoare. Photo:- Eddie Hoare
Cllr Hoare said the council must apply for this funding and drew up a plan on how to support outdoor dining and outdoor activities. He said businesses should all be given the opportunity to provide outdoor seating and tables, and that the waiving of the outdoor seating fee by the council should coincide with a temporary relaxing of casual trading restrictions for other traders.
“We must encourage all businesses to trade and break down the barriers where possible,” he said. “A lot of these pop-ups will occupy units in our city centre in the future if successful.”
