This grant is now closed.
Overview
The Restaurant
Association of Nova Scotia (RANS), with support from ACOA, is offering grants
to support the seasonal extension of patios for dine-in restaurants across Nova
Scotia. The total project approved funding is $200,000.
Patios are becoming a
stronger piece of the dine-in restaurant experience. This trend has been evolving
over recent years, but the pandemic has accelerated the usage and consumer
acceptance of dining outdoors. We are looking at assisting operators who can
extend their seasonality beyond their current operation to have patios open longer
(in the fall, sunny days in winter, and an earlier opening in spring). The
outdoor experience is here to stay, and we want to encourage dine-in
restaurants to adapt and join in on this trend.
Our Patio Extension
Project will offer grants up to $1,500 to support the extension of patio seasons
in the specific areas (1) overhead awnings/ coverings (2) side walls/ weather
buffers and (3) propane/gas/electrical heaters.
This project will be available
across Nova Scotia for eligible restaurants (small, medium, and large) and be distributed
fairly across the seven tourism regions of the province.
Eligibility
·
Operating
a licensed dine-in restaurant in Nova Scotia
·
Must have
an up-to-date patio permit and comply with all municipal/provincial regulations.
Click here for
definition of patio.
·
Only
eligible items: (1) overhead awnings/ coverings (2) side walls/ weather buffers
and (3) propane/gas/electrical heaters.
·
Must
be an extension to your existing patio season
·
New
patios may also apply and use the funding for an extension only
·
Receipts
of eligible items may be submitted from January 1, 2021 onward
Requirements
·
Must
fill out an application form – applications open till July 30, 2021
·
Must
supply pictures of completed project
·
Must
supply receipts or paid invoices for items purchased
June 28, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia enables restaurants
across Nova Scotia to extend patio season
The Restaurant
Association of Nova Scotia (RANS) is offering grants to support the seasonal
extension of patios for dine-in restaurants across Nova Scotia thanks to a
contribution from the federal government.
Patios are
becoming a stronger piece of the dine-in restaurant experience. This trend has
been evolving over recent years, but the pandemic has accelerated the usage and
consumer acceptance of dining outdoors.
We are looking at
assisting operators who can extend their season beyond their current operation
to have patios open longer (in the fall and an earlier opening in spring). The
outdoor experience is here to stay, and we want to encourage dine-in
restaurants to adapt and join this trend. Due to the financial strain
restaurants are facing from the several lockdowns during the pandemic, we feel
that any additional fiscal support for their operations will be of great value.
The Government of
Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is providing a $200,000 non-repayable
contribution to RANS, through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), towards this initiative.
The Patio
Extension Project will offer grants up to $1500 to support the extension of
patio seasons in the specific areas (1) overhead awnings/ coverings (2) side
walls/ weather buffers and (3) propane/gas/electrical heaters.
This project will
be available across Nova Scotia for eligible restaurants (small, medium, and large)
and be distributed fairly across the seven tourism regions of the province.
For more
information on eligibility and how to apply, please contact the Restaurant
Association of Nova Scotia.
Quotes:
“Restaurants have faced a
multitude of challenges throughout the pandemic, with a loss in revenue being
one of the most prominent. With patio season well on its way, the reopening of
dine-in service, and vaccinations on track; we are hopeful that the restaurant
industry can begin to recover. We are incredibly pleased to have received
funding from ACOA to provide these grants for patio extensions and help
restaurants attract customers and provide them an incredible patio experience,”
said Gordon Stewart, Executive Director of RANS.
“Dine-in restaurants across Nova Scotia have faced the challenges
of three lockdowns with resilience and ingenuity. Our government is happy to
help them extend their patio season so they can attract more customers with
outside dining options. This will help ensure businesses are equipped to bounce
back as the economy reopens,” said Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to
the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (ACOA) and Member
of Parliament for Dartmouth – Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie
Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minster
responsible for ACOA.
About RANS
RANS represents more than 30,100
people including chefs, cooks, owners, managers, suppliers, wait-staff,
sommeliers, kitchen help, caterers and more that make your food experience more
memorable. The Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia (RANS), established in
1947, addresses the needs of both members and non-members in the foodservice
sector. RANS charity of choice is Feed Nova Scotia and The IWK Foundation.
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For more information contact:
Natasha Chestnut, Association & Marketing
Administrator
RANS
902-429-5343
ext. 1