Modern Makeover Earns DBC Medical Ltd. Top SDCC Shopfront Award

24/02/2026

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

DBC Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine, a chartered physiotherapy and sports medicine clinic located at Ashleaf Shopping Centre, has been awarded “Best Shopfront” for 2025, receiving €1,000 towards its transformed frontage, which was also part‑funded by the SDCC Shopfront Grant Scheme.

The Shopfront Grant Scheme is a South Dublin County Council initiative designed to encourage and support businesses in South Dublin County in enhancing the appearance of their premises, contributing to the overall aesthetics of local streetscapes, and boosting local commerce. This year, DBC Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine located at 1 Ashleaf Hall Business Centre, Ashleaf Shopping Centre, Dublin 12, earned top marks for delivering the strongest visual impact among this year’s entries

Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr Pamela Kearns said  

"I would like to congratulate DBC Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine on winning the Best Shopfront award as part of the Shopfront Grant Scheme 2025. Their newly upgraded façade is a fantastic addition to the Walkinstown area, making the area more inviting for visitors and supporting the continued growth of this valued local business. High‑quality shopfront improvements like this uplift entire neighbourhoods and reflect the positive impact of the scheme. The finished shopfront stands as a testament to DBC Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine’s dedication to quality and the evident pride they take in their premises.”

Emma Guihen of DBC Medical Ltd. said "We are absolutely delighted to receive this award from South Dublin County Council. Our aim was to create a modern, clear and professional shopfront that reflects the high standard of physiotherapy and sports medicine services we provide. The Shopfront Grant Scheme made this upgrade possible and the support from the SDCC team throughout the process was excellent. Since the improvements were completed, we’ve had many positive comments from clients and increased visibility within the area. We’re grateful for the opportunity and would encourage other businesses to consider applying.”

Details of the scheme, including Terms & Conditions are available now on the Council’s website at https://www.sdcc.ie/en/services/business/enterprise/business-support/shop-front-grant/, with the 2026 application link due to go live in early March 2026.

Contact econdev@sdublincoco.ie or phone 01-4149000 with any queries regarding the scheme.

ENDS

For more information, contact South Dublin County Council Communications Unit at communications@sdublincoco.ie

IMAGE 1 – Mayor of South Dublin County Council Cllr Pamela Kearns with Emma Guihen, Liam Heavin, and Kevin Sheerin from DBC Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine, Ashleaf, Winner of the SDCC Shopfront Grant 2025.

IMAGE 2 – Mayor of South Dublin County Council Cllr Pamela Kearns, SDCC County Promotion Unit, and staff from DBC Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine, in Walkinstown, Winner of the SDCC Shopfront Grant.

IMAGE 3 – Mayor of South Dublin County Council Cllr Pamela Kearns with the Shopfront Grant sticker awarded by SDCC to Shopfront Grant recipients.

IMAGE 4 – Winner of the SDCC Shopfront Grant, Liam Heavin from DBC Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine in Walkinstown.

FOR THE EDITOR

About South Dublin County Council

South Dublin County Council is one of four local authority areas in the Dublin region.

The Council provides and funds a broad range of services including housing, roads, walking and cycling routes, parks and playgrounds, libraries, sports facilities, litter control, arts centres, enterprise units, fire services, community infrastructure and financial support. It also serves as a platform for local democracy with 40 councillors spread across seven electoral areas.

Bounded by the River Liffey to the North and the Dublin Mountains to the South, the County lies 16 kilometers south-west of Dublin city centre and has an administrative footprint of 223sq. kilometers.

The County has nine main villages Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown, Rathfarnham, Tallaght, Templeogue, Saggart, Rathcoole and Newcastle and is bounded by adjoining counties of Wicklow, Kildare, Dublin City, Fingal and Dún Laoghaire.

About the Shopfront Grant Scheme

South Dublin County Council’s Shopfront Grant Scheme is intended to improve the appearance of independently owned shops fronting public streets.

Grants are available to improve the look of your shopfront (50% of the overall cost of works). Example Grant with overall approved costs of €1,200: SDCC pay €600 - you pay €600. If successful, the shop will also be asked to place an SDCC branded window sticker to promote their success.

Grants are available for something as simple as painting your shop, replacing signage or even replacing your entire shopfront, certain T&C’s may apply. Please review the Terms & Condition and Design Guide before submitting your application.

To apply for the scheme please complete online Application Form, alternatively send a hard copy including all supporting documentation to the County Promotion Unit, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24 or via email econdev@sdublincoco.ie

Please contact the County Promotion Unit with any queries on econdev@sdublincoco.ie where the team would be happy to assist with the application.

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