Kildare Councillor Urges People To Shop Local.

Says the county needs to get "back in the fight"

A Kildare councillor is urging people to shop local.

The county's retail and personal services sector is open.

While the county's hospitality firms are awaiting guidance on re-opening from Fáilte Ireland today.

Social Democrats Cllr., Nuala Kileen, has been speaking to Kildare Today.

She says locals should support Kildare firms

At the Celbridge/Leixlip MD meeting, she also asked for an outline of the supports available to businesses in the county:

Kildare Businesses Reopen in Summer 2021
Business Restart 2021
Avail of free of charge one-to-one advisory sessions on business concerns relating to reopening in Summer 2021. An expert mentor will be appointed to advise on concerns in the following areas:
o Cashflow and Finance
o Tax/VAT related Queries
o HR and Staffing issues
o Sales and Marketing
o Online Strategy and promoting your reopening
o Applying for Finance
o Health and Safety - Reopening your shop or business premises in line with COVID-19 Government Guidelines
o Outdoor Seating & Accessories for Tourism & Hospitality Businesses (Hospitality Sector Only)

o Or any other business-related issues that may arise due to the current circumstances.

Reopening your Business after COVID-19 - Health & Safety Workshops
Workshop and one to one mentoring to ensure businesses are equipped to adhere to health and safety requirements when reopening. Wednesday 05 May, 9am - 1pm.

Outdoor Seating and Accessories Grant
Funding of up to €4K (for up to 75% of the ex-VAT cost of equipment purchased/installed) is available for Kildare businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector. *Expenditure must be incurred between 01.04.2020 and 30/09/2021. Scheme open w.e.f. 12/04/2021 – 30/09/2021*

Shop Front Grant Scheme: Retail Improvements
The Shop Front Improvement, Accessibility and Age Friendly Grant Scheme offers grant aid of up to €5,000 or 50% of eligible costs for painting and/or repairs.

Retail Enhancement Scheme
Kildare LEO’s Retail+ Retail Enhancement Support Programme has supported over 30 Kildare retailers. The combined paint and merchandising scheme and mentoring and training programme featured significant financial support.
Shop County Kildare Online Trading Platform
The last 12 months has proven the essential need for Kildare businesses to be trading online. This shared e-commerce platform developed to bring Kildare businesses online is free of charge, and businesses can register here: www.shopcountykildare.ie

Trading Online Voucher Scheme
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme financially supports small businesses with trading online to boost their sales and reach new markets.
This scheme is a 50% funding opportunity with up to €2,500 available and can be used towards eligible costs such as digital marketing strategies, e-commerce websites or app development

COVID-19 Business Loan- Micro Finance Ireland
The COVID-19 Business Loan Scheme is available for micro-enterprises that have been impacted by COVID-19. Loans from 5k - 25k are available, with zero repayments in first 6 months. Kildare LEO will also provide mentorship to support with the application.
Suite of Grant Aid
Available to business (subject to qualifying criterion) such as: Feasibility Study Grant, Priming Grant, Business Expansion Grant and Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters.

Cllr. Kileen joined Clem Ryan on Tuesday's edition of Kildare Today: