Call for ‘wet pubs’ to be included in outdoor grants scheme

So-called wet pubs should not be excluded from the Government grants aimed at improving shelter for outdoor facilities, according to a city councillor.

Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF) told last week’s City Council meeting that it was unfair to exclude the wet pubs from the grants in tourist areas like the city – worth up to €4,000 per applicant.

“Why wouldn’t the wet pubs in a city like Galway qualify for those grants – they need the outdoor shelter facilities too. This is just not fair,” said Cllr Cheevers.

He also made a plea for more of the tourism infrastructure money to be made available for the east side of the city.

“If officials go past The Huntsman, they think they’re going to get a nose bleed,” commented Cllr Cheevers.

However, Council Tourism Officer, Ruairí Lehmann, told the meeting that the grants criteria for eligibility was defined by Failte Ireland and was not a decision of the Council.

“If premises are not serving food, then they’re not eligible for the grant,” he said.

Under the Local Authority Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Infrastructure Scheme 2021, grants of up to €4,000 are available per outlet in key tourism centres such as Galway City.

While each local authority has an initial maximum allocation of €200,000, certain areas such as Galway City may be in a position to apply for additional funding, the Tourism Infrastructure report presented to this week’s meeting stated.

Grants can be claimed for such items as outdoor tables and chairs, awnings, windbreakers and heaters.

Cllr Eddie Hoare (FG) said that while he welcomed any grants that would improve the outdoor facilities, he was greatly concerned about the future of Shop Street.

“We have a lot of units vacant here – we need to get tenants back into this area. Anything we can do to ease regulations and get people back into Shop Street would be welcome,” said Cllr. Hoare.

Cllr Imelda Byrne (FF) also welcomed the grants for the outdoor dining areas and also wanted the outdoor dining designation to be extended to cover the Forster Street area.

Mr Lehmann gave an undertaking to examine further the Forster Street issue as regards outdoor dining and to speak to the Gardaí on the matter.