Rising costs challenge Tipperary's rural growth despite supports and government grants

The Workshop Health & Fitness gym on Jail Street in the town has also echoed similar sentiments, moreso in the area of operating costs soaring since the doors opened in 2021.

Conor Floyd is a co-owner and Operations Manager of the fledgling business and despite availing of a Government grant through the LEADER Rural Development programme, the costs have become significant in the interim period for Conor and his cousin Kealan - who is also a co-owner.

“Costs are always going up year and year. We’re a member-based, subscription-based service and we really have to go to different avenues or the costs have to be absorbed by the members.

“We would have started with competitive pricings against gyms that would be in urban areas but we realised very quickly that we can’t compete with those models because of a smaller population base. We’ve had to increase prices twice in the last three years to keep up with running costs like rent increases, insurance, and staff with the minimum wage increases.”

Currently, in year three of the venture, Mr Floyd highlighted that the business was at a point of “diminshing returns” as they have reached their target membership numbers, but with costs increasing again and again, the challenges remain for them to grow the business.

“We’re trying to bring in new initiatives like group training and classes but what we’re looking at in year three is trying to bring down costs but they seem to be increasing all the time.

“I understand costs are going up but I feel there could be more initiatives put in place for businesses like ours. I’m a big advocate for rural community business so if they were able to do a small bit more for people it would be huge.”

He added: “Grants out there are based mostly around big corporations in research or STEM but I think their should be more done for entrepreneurship in small towns and villages and rural communities like ours.”