A number of businesses across Bridgend County Borough are set to receive a grant of up to £10,000 to help install outdoor facilities including seating areas, gazebos and patio heaters.
The Outdoor Improvements Covid-19 Recovery Fund has targeted external areas where customers and members of the public can congregate, rest or enjoy food and drink. The first and second phase of the programme were funded by Bridgend County Borough Council, the Valleys Task Force and Welsh Government’s Targeted Regeneration Investment initiative.
As part of the third phase, which was fully funded by the local authority, commercial property and business owners who applied earlier this year for grants have been able to purchase adaptations ranging from outdoor canopies and furniture to planters, outdoor heating, screens and more. A minimum of 20 per cent of the total project costs are met by the applicant.
The council chose to support a third phase of the grant due to the demand and success of the previously supported phases which helped 72 businesses.
A total of 38 businesses, who were put on a waiting list following the latest round of applications, were invited to submit applications. With 19 applications being received, 11 have now been successful and are awaiting their funding. The remaining applications are expected to be approved in the coming weeks.
Those set to benefit from the scheme include Tondu Cricket Club and The Masons Arms in Nantyffyllon which both plan to get some outdoor furniture with the grant, Cefn Cribwr Athletics which wants to extend its balcony area with outdoor seating and the Swan Inn, Nottage, which aims to get a retractable awning for the front of the pub.
In addition, Nantyfyllon RFC plans to use the funding for gazebos and outdoor furniture while Porthcawl’s Cosy Corner Lounge will look to purchase heaters, outdoor screens and decking, and the Fox and Hounds in Ogmore Vale plan to build a beer garden.
Meanwhile Maesteg Golf Club hope to install a wind break for their outdoor facilities as well as some outdoor furniture, Club Penybont plan to purchase light fixtures and Maesteg Sports and Social Club plan to buy two permanent outdoor gazebos.
Over the past year, dozens of businesses and organisations having benefitted from the Outdoor Improvements Covid-19 Recovery Fund.
Each grant from this latest £150,000 pot will be a welcome financial boost to businesses who have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, helping increase their capacity to host customers in outdoor settings.
Councillor Stuart Baldwin, Cabinet Member for Communities
