ronan fagan
A local councillor has called on the Municipal District, in partnership with relevant stakeholders, to introduce appropriate measures to address the number of vacant business units in Athlone and to highlight the existing supports that are available to help small businesses who are currently trading.
Addressing his fellow elected representatives and council executive during the most recent sitting of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District, Cllr Frankie Keena, noted the urgency for such a task force to be established with the number of business units closing in Athlone giving much cause for concern.
“I am continuously receiving concerns from members of the local public relating to the vast number of vacant small business properties along the main thoroughfares of our growth town.
“I recognise and welcome that some vacant properties are going through a transition development phase, examples of such being the fabulous renovation works ongoing at the site of the former Ryan’s shop in Mardyke Street and the impressive frontage at Carey’s Pub which has resulted in a beautiful visual statement building,” Cllr Keena said.
To obtain more information pertaining to the number of vacant business properties in Athlone, Cllr Keena conducted his own survey in this regard, walking from the TUS Athlone Campus to Baylough taking note of permanently closed units en route.
“I was shocked to note that there are approximately 125 vacant business properties spread throughout the town’s catchment area. This figure also included vacancies in some of our business parks which are located within the periphery of the town.
“While Church Street and Connaught Street have significant vacancies, it is important to say that other significant vacancies are spread throughout the entire town.
“Numerous individuals are saying that such vacancies are solely due to construction works currently taking place in Athlone or the traffic congestion at peak times, but with the statistics that I have now provided, it clearly shows that this is not the case as other areas outside the core of the town are also suffering with vacant business premises.
“This taskforce, if formed, must essentially look at various options to entice the massive footfall of visitors who shop in both of Athlone’s shopping centres out onto our main streets in order to support our small businesses,” Cllr Keena added.
While concern was the main emotion noted by Cllr Keena within the council chamber, the councillor expressed positive tones as he welcomed the new Increased Cost of Business Scheme (ICOB ) which will provide relief and a cash injection to shops and small businesses, many of which are at the heart of Athlone and surrounding areas.
“This funding of €250 million was announced by the Government in the most recent Budget to provide a targeted refund to businesses who are rate payers.
“Businesses with 2023 rate bills of up to €10,000 will receive a grant that equals half of their bill. Rates ranging from €10,000 to €30,000 will receive a fixed grant of €5,000, while businesses with a 2023 rates bill for their property in excess of €30,000 do not qualify for this grant,” Cllr Keena remarked.
The councillor noted that the ICOB will be administered via the council with a closing date of May 1 and urged local businesses to apply for this rate reduction as it will help with the reduction their annual costs.
“Westmeath County Council, through urban regeneration schemes, has invested and are still investing substantial funding to upgrade public realm works in the core of Athlone. Upon completion of such construction works the public will have a beautiful public amenity space in the core of our town.
“Athlone is rightly recognised as the retail capital of the Midlands with vast numbers regularly commuting to the town to conduct their shopping. I have been informed from colleagues in Galway that the traffic congested city is losing shoppers in droves to our town. This is welcome news and long may it continue. In February of this year the Athlone Towncentre management announced figures of 4.1 million visitors to their retail location during 2023 which is great news.
“While this is positive news for Athlone, there is still an urgent need to establish such a task force to ensure further businesses within our town do not cease trading. We must be proactive in our support of all our business community,” Cllr Keena concluded.
