Incentive scheme for vacant property

The Council is planning to bring in a business incentive scheme in the New Year to encourage new businesses to open in the many empty commercial units in the heart of Sligo. Councillor Chris MacManus, who had tabled a motion calling for such a grant incentive was told by Head of Finance Marie Whelan that moves were afoot to draw up proposals in 2020. A three year grant incentive in the form of a decreasing reduction in rates over a three year period was what Cllr MacManus was calling for. He said it could be for new businesses to locate in premises that have been vacant for over a year and would encourage diversity of retail offerings within the town centre. The empty commercial units “are at present not yielding any rates income for the Council,” he said. He was supported by Councillor Declan Bree who noted that he had been proposing the Department of Environment’s Long Term Vacant Property Incentive Scheme for the last two years which also encourages new businesses to use commercial premises which have been vacant for over two years. He was voted down by the majority of councillors in 2017 and 2018.

“I will be submitting the same motion at our Budget meeting next week and hopefully on this occasion the majority of councillors will support it,” he said. “I have pointed out that the successful implementation of the scheme would help reduce the negative visual impact of empty shop premises in Sligo and I believe it would also help generate and support new business outlets to attract increased footfall and it would benefit the town,” added Cllr Bree. He said it would also promote job creation and employment. Ms Whelan said a Business Incentive Scheme and a Vacant Property Incentive were in fact “two completely separate schemes” but said she would “come back to the Council in the New Year with proposals.” It was the Executive’s view that this was something worth considering. “I very much welcome that,” said Cllr MacManus. “