Longford town cafés urged to apply for 'Café Lates' grant

Longford County Council has announced details of a pilot grant initiative, ‘Café Lates’ which is designed to foster a vibrant and diverse night-time café culture.

Funding under this grant initiative opened on Monday, April 14 with a closing date of Friday, May 2.

Local cafés in Longford Town are invited to apply for funding to introduce engaging cultural programming after 6pm on specific dates of Thursday, May 29 and Thursday, June 26.

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Longford Town is one of nine pilot towns nationwide actively enhancing Ireland's night-time economy, and Longford County Council is committed to building on the town's after-6pm offerings.

The ‘Café Lates’ initiative directly addresses feedback received during public consultation for the development of a café culture as part of the Longford County Council Night-Time Economy Action Plan.

Aims of the ‘Café Lates’ pilot initiative are to expand evening and night-time offerings, including alcohol-free options; support businesses in trialling extended opening hours; stimulate revenue; drive footfall and build a vibrant evening café culture.

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Speaking in relation to the ‘Café Lates’ initiative, Karen Reilly, the designated Night-Time Economy Advisor said, “This is a great opportunity to enhance night-time offerings with a vibrant café culture in Longford Town.

"The types of events we envisage and encourage are live performances from local bands to intimate acoustic and DJ sets, spoken word and poetry, comedy, book clubs, workshops and tastings to themed nights for example. We also encourage events that appeal to younger people, creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all.”

‘Café Lates’ is funded by Longford County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Longford County Council Head of Enterprise Michael Nevin said, “The Café Lates initiative will give local cafés in Longford Town an exciting opportunity to expand their evening options which will deliver an enhanced experience for residents, workers, and visitors alike. .

As well as fostering a vibrant and diverse night-time café culture, this initiative will also help stimulate the local economy by encouraging extra footfall and increasing revenue streams for cafés during evening hours.”

Application forms for the ‘Café Lates’ initiative are available to download from the Night Time Economy section of Longford County Council website.

Completed applications must be submitted by email to kreilly@longfordcoco.ie with the subject title 'Café Lates' before the deadline of Friday, May 2.