Brewster's gets a boost

The new Brewster’s pub and restaurant in Colborne will receive a cheque for $350 even though its owners didn’t follow all the rules to get it. The new business at the corner of Toronto Rd. and Church St. has been open just a few weeks. It's owners, Tracy Grealy and Bruce Hamilton, applied for business improvement money earlier this fall.

Their request went to the Community Improvement Plan which provides incentives for business improvements in Colborne and Castleton. The entrepreneurs submitted an application for façade and signage improvements several months ago. But they did not follow all the procedures. Bylaw Officer, Jim Harris admitted to council that township staff contributed to the problem.

But the couple’s accomplishments did adhere to the spirit and intent of the plan, according to the Harris report filed at council on December 1. In his verbal report, Mr. Harris noted how the improvements made at their new business made the town look better.

Mr. Harris could not reconcile their receipts with other work done on the exterior of the building, but he could see they had paid $700 for a sign.

Mayor Marc Coombs and Councillor Pat Westrope both expressed concern about setting a precedent when the procedures had not been followed. They wondered aloud if other businesses might retroactively apply for improvement grants.

Mr. Harris explained that the partners had applied before the work had been done but failed to follow the procedures due to bad advice.

After a brief discussion, Council unanimously approved the request to pay half the sign cost.