Finbarr Filan on government town centres advisory group
A SLIGO businessman man has been appointed to a government advisory group on revitalising town centres.
Finbarr Filan has been chosen to represent the network of Irish towns and cities affiliated to the Irish Town Centre Development Association (ITCSA) on the Town Centres First Advisory Group. The newly-formed group will focus on the much needed supports and funding needed in revitalising town centres around the country. Finbarr said he was honoured to join the new advisory group.
“It is terrific that Sligo – the only town on the advisory group – has secured a place and I look forward to having input into the group and showing the progress Sligo has made over the last number of years.
“Our town centres need a focus and assistance from the government,” he said.
He said that the ITCDA represents 23 towns and cities in the Republic of Ireland, including Sligo, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Drogheda, Dundalk, Mullingar and Letterkenny, and “we are delighted to be the fore in voicing our thoughts, ideas and research gathered from the members”. “There is much that needs to be done to support and revitalise towns like Sligo and this group’s work in advising and supporting the proposed programmes and schemes will benefit us all.”
The former chair and now board member of Sligo Business Improvement District (BID) said he was delighted to be invited to join to the advisory group and to have the opportunity to represent Sligo.
Mr Filan said that the group will look closely at the Scottish Town Partnership initiative with the intention to develop a similar programme in Ireland. He said Phil Prentice, the CEO of Scottish Town Partnership, actually visited Sligo two years ago. Richard Guiney, CEO of DublinTown and steering group member of ITCDA, said that they were delighted at the appointment of Finbar Filan.
“Finbarr has unique insights into the needs of Irish towns at this time of challenge and change. He is an excellent communicator and is very well placed to express the needs and opportunities of Irish towns as they adapt to the 21st century environment.
“This is a unique time when urban centres hold the key to both economic and environmental sustainability. However, the potential for towns must be recognised at a national level and the necessary supports provided to enable them develop as both community and commercial hubs,” he said.