There are no grants or start up finance for small shops - Cllr told

There are no grants or start-up finances for small retail businesses, a meeting of Meath County Council heard on Monday.

Cllr Helen Meyer had asked what supports are available through Meath County Council or the Local Enterprise Office for small retail and personal service businesses such as such as vape shops, nail salons, barbers or mobile phone shops.

She was told retail and personal service businesses are not eligible for the Local Enterprise Office’s financial grant schemes, which are primarily targeted at manufacturing and internationally traded services. Unless they are exporting, they would not qualify for grant funding.

However, retail businesses, like most businesses, can access non-financial supports such as training and mentoring.

Cllr Meyer said she had asked the question in order to shut down the misinformation being spread that a lot of these shops have got grants from the council. “That misinformation has spread and people are saying that is why there are so many vape shops and salons because they get start up grants.

“I want people to know that is not the case,” she said.