Ennis Access to Spaces Initiative

EASI TENANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES

EASI – Ennis Access to Spaces Initiative makes use of empty commercial property in the Town Centre to offer temporary low-cost space for community, cultural and tourism providers. The initiative is an opportunity try out new retail or exhibition space that offers economic and social benefits to the area.

The main aims of the initiative are to:

 Reduce the visual impact of empty property in the Town Centre.  Increase footfall and attract new visitors to the Town Centre by providing a range of exciting businesses, activities and exhibitions.  Generate publicity for Ennis and County Clare.  Offer reduced cost space for community organisations, artists / arts groups and tourist attractions to try out new ideas and/or reach new audiences.  Showcase empty properties to potential tenants to help them be re-let.

EASI is hoping to support unique exhibitions, events and retail experiences across different premises. The activity must not contravene planning or licensing regulations or conflict with Council objectives. The initiative will seek to complement the existing and well established local businesses in Ennis.

What’s the offer to tenants?

EASI is offering low-cost spaces to for community, cultural and tourism providers. Typically spaces are on offer for anything from a number of days to a month and can be used for temporary retail experiences, exhibitions and events. The tenant will not be responsible for rates but will be responsible for utility charges for the period of occupation. The tenant must take out Public Liability Insurance.

Spaces can be used for  Exhibitions  Retail of arts and crafts  Studio Spaces  Information Signs in Shop Windows

Any other activity that is deemed complimentary to the EASI ethos

Tenants will be expected to;

 Have public liability insurance for up to €6.5 million and indemnify the Council to cover their use of the premises.  Have the necessary contents insurance and employers liability insurance (if required)  Sign a Tenant Agreement agreeing to all conditions of use.  Return the premises in the same condition they receive it in. Make good any damage.  Ensure the shop is occupied and open during core business hours throughout the exhibition/event/retail experience.  Acknowledge Council support and include the EASI logo on all publicity & marketing materials relating to tenancy.  Provide photos and evaluation information at the end of tenancy.  Pay for utility costs (will be charged on pro-rata basis if more than one tenant occupies a unit).

How do I apply to become an EASI Tenant?

Fill out this application form and return it with the following information;

 Who you are. Details of your business/organisation. Contacts details.  Details of any other groups/organisations involved.  Description of the planned use of the space. Including possible retail element and exhibition (e.g. sale of goods/art/postcards/gallery etc.)  Experience of delivering similar projects. Examples of previous work (include links to any relevant websites).  Target audience for planned use  Planned opening times.  Preferences (if any) for location/size of unit.  When and for how long you would like the unit. Selection Criteria

EASI favours proposals that:

 Are appropriate to the shop and surrounding area  Will attract visitors and increase footfall in the area  Offer benefit to local residents and/or businesses  Generate positive publicity for the area  Are not in conflict with surrounding retailers  Are innovative and demonstrate a high quality business offer, exhibition or event  Will ensure the shop is open during regular business hours  Are not in conflict with Council objectives and do not contravene planning regulations  Are from organisations, businesses or individuals based in the Clare area. (Although other proposals will be considered)

Demand for EASI spaces is high so you may not get a space when you want it. Proposals that are flexible around timing, duration and location of spaces are more likely to be successful.

Suitable tenants for the EASI initiative will be selected from submitted application forms. Ennis Town Council reserves the right to appoint an panel to assess the applications.

Programming of Tenants

How far in advance we programme tenants for EASI spaces will vary from shop to shop. We will generally try to give tenants a few weeks lead in time. In some instances we will be looking to fill spaces at very short notice. Due to the temporary nature of EASI spaces there is a risk that shops may need to be returned to the owner at short notice if a long-term commercial tenant is identified. We will discuss this risk with tenants when programming shops.

Public Liability Insurance

Public Liability insurance is required to be taken out by all EASI tenants. It covers any award of damages to members of the public because of injury or damage to their property caused by a tenant. This is offered by most major insurers.

Application form and any supplementary materials must be submitted to:

Siobhán Mulcahy, County Arts Officer, County Library, Mill Road, Ennis, Co.Clare. Email: [email protected] Phone: 065 6899091 Ennis Access to Spaces Initiative

TENANT APPLICATION FORM

Please ensure that you read the guidelines before completing this form. This form must be typed or completed in clear capital letters

General Information:

Name/s of individual(s):

Name of Organisation/Group (if applicable):

Position in Organisation/Group (if applicable):

Number of members in Organisation/Group (if applicable):

Brief description of Organisation/Group (if applicable):

Address for Correspondence:

E-mail Address:

Telephone:

Website (if applicable):

Social Networking Sites (if applicable): Please give a description of the planned use of the space. Include retail or exhibition element (e.g. sale of goods/art/jewellery/gallery/workshop/community event etc.)

Please give your experience of developing similar projects. Include examples of previous work to include links to any relevant websites

Who is the Target Audience for your space:

What are the planned Opening Times:

When and for how long you would like the space :

State what funding applications (if any) have been made by you and to whom: Declaration: I declare that all the information in this application is correct. I understand that if successful I must follow all the conditions as set out in the guidelines, pay for utilities and insurance and will have to sign and return a tenant agreement detailing all conditions of the EASI initiative prior to taking part. I undertake to be the spokesperson on the part of the group members mentioned above and the point of contact for the EASI scheme.

Signed: ______Date: ______

Checklist:

2 copies of: Signed and completed application form. Contact details of two referees CVs of applicants

1 copy of: Supplementary Materials (these may include copies or images of previous work (no more than ten), a more detailed proposal, reviews of previous work, promotional materials, annual report, etc)

If relevant, evidence of funding or letters of support

Please note applications and supplementary materials will not be returned.

Application form and any supplementary materials must be submitted to:

Siobhán Mulcahy, County Arts Officer, County Library, Mill Road, Ennis, Co.Clare. Email: [email protected] Phone: 065 6899091

EASI is an initiative of Clare County Arts Office, Ennis Municipal District Council and Ennis Chamber of Commerce.

Tá leagan Gaeilge den foirm seo ar fáil, ach é a iarraidh.