Retail and hospitality businesses in Gwynedd have benefitted from a ‘Welcoming the Customer Safely Fund’ that has helped pay for facilities like outdoor seating and additional serving areas.
Gwynedd Council and the county’s businesses have been working together to prepare high streets for the influx of customers as restrictions are relaxed.
They secured money from the Welsh Government to establish the fund and purchase external equipment for town centre businesses in the county’s main centres.
There were 56 applications received from 18 towns across Gwynedd, and the total fund is over £125,000 with over £88,000 of grant funding allocated to the businesses.
Stori Beer & Wine Cyf in Bala obtained a license to use the parking space outside the shop for serving, and has secured equipment through the fund to ensure the safety of their customers.
Owner Fiona Hopkins said: “The last year has been super tough for everyone and as a business that relies on tourism and income from our bar we have struggled too. We hadn’t considered outside drinking until last year, but were encouraged to apply for a pavement licence and got it.
"We were so grateful for the speedy turnaround and general support from Gwynedd Council and the Highways Authority, and the outside area was very well supported by the local community.
"So much so, that we decided to invest this year in some proper outdoor furniture (last year we used our inside chairs and tables) and some screening and planters and were fortunate to succeed in gaining a grant towards this.”
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Nicola Griffith, General Manager of the Celtic Royal Hotel in Caernarfon, said: “We applied for the keep the customer safe grant from Gwynedd Council.
"I was very impressed with the efficiency and helpfulness of all the people I dealt with.
"Our outdoor area is now good to go with new furniture, it looks amazing!”
Councillor Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “The past few months have been very challenging for Gwynedd businesses and we are grateful to them for the work they have been doing over the last year to help keep their customers safe.
“Businesses across the county have come up with innovative ways to ensure the safety of their customers including outdoor seating space from recycled materials, canopies, heaters and external furniture.
"Although we need to continue to take care and follow the safety rules, we hope that Gwynedd residents and people who visit the county will see the benefit of the investment that has happened in high street shops and businesses.”
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