- cathybevan8
Outdoor improvement grants supporting Ogmore’s local businesses throughout lockdown

As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, more and more businesses across Ogmore have received funding to provide Covid-safe outdoor settings, to keep their customers and staff safe.
The Outdoor Improvements Covid-19 Recovery Fund is provided through a joint effort by Bridgend County Borough Council, the Valleys Task Force and the Welsh Government.
Commercial property and business owners have been able to apply for grants up to £10,000 in order to adapt their outdoor spaces to provide a place for customers and members of the public to congregate, rest, or enjoy food and drink. The grants can provide funding of up to 80 per cent, where the other 20 per cent would have to be supplied by the applicant.
So far, many of Ogmore’s local businesses in both Bridgend County Borough and Rhondda Cynon Taf have benefitted from the scheme and further applications are currently being evaluated. See list below:
The Potting Shed
Wiggley's Fun Farm
The Royal Oak
Oddfellows
Pencoed RFC
Maesteg Cricket Club
Tondu RFC
The Federation Bar
The Old Bakery Café
Deano’s Café
The Welsh Deli
The McNamara Arms
The Cross Inn
Casey’s Café
Talbot Dental Practice
Iced Gems
The Fruit Bowl
Crumbs
The Corner House
The Old House
The Blaenogwr
Llangeinor Arms
Maesteg Celtic Ltd
Heol-Y-Cyw Workingmen’s Sports and Social Club
Heol y Cyw RFC
Maesteg Cricket Club
Sian’s Dance School
Bryngarw County Park
Our Welsh Farm Caravan and Camping
Athlete Kitchen
Bryncae Arms
NEL Creative
High James Home and Garden Maintenance
Barrmore Vet Centre
Lanelay Hall - hotel
Huw Irranca-Davies, MS for Ogmore welcomed the funding and emphasised the importance of making businesses safe to reopen. “It’s good to see so many businesses in Ogmore benefitting from these Welsh Government and local authority grants so that when they open up again, their businesses are ready for new and old customers having adapted and improved their facilities. This should also help with making covid-safe premises, so that people can feel confident to go out for a coffee and a cake, or to a family venue, or for a drink, and support their local businesses as soon as they are open again.”
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Charles Smith also emphasised the importance of checking for permissions. „Businesses are reminded that when applying for or receiving a grant such as this, you must also remember to check to see if planning permission is required for any improvements that you may have planned.”