Two vacant shops filled by multicutural entrepreneurs in Portlaoise

Two vacant shops on Main Street in Portlaoise have been filled with attractive new businesses, reflecting the growing town's appeal for new residents.

However the Laois county town continues to show a high commercial vacancy rate.

Dan Alexi from Moldova is the proprietor of newly opened Bubble Hills café, filling was once a shoeshop, then an icecream café, at the entrance of Hynd's Square.

"I am in Ireland six months, I had the same business in Moldova for the last eight years," Dan told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"I opened on St Patrick's Day. I will open in Clane too in maybe three months. I like that the shop is here on the Main Street. I like Portlaoise. It is fairly quiet so far. I will open every day," he said.

As for the name, it comes from the trendy Bubble tea he creates, along with tasty sandwiches, endorsed already by business support group Laois Chamber Alliance

The two new shops at the entrance to Hynd's Square. Photo: Leinster Express

Further down Main Street, dressmaker Diana Kerpaite from Lithuania has just turned a vacant pharmacy into a beautiful store, having moved a very short distance from a smaller unit that was once a well known florist. 

"I moved from across the road. I needed a bigger place. Business is good," she said.

Diana who is in business in Portlaoise for the past six years, employs two staff. Before that she worked in Dublin and in Mullingar.

"I live in Portlaoise. All the time I think about my business. Portlaoise is a good place, it is good to rent. In Dublin it's expensive. Every year here I am about 10% more busy," she said.

"My mother Birlite helped, she is a professional painter," Diana said.

Her busy period is just starting, with clothes alterations also a big part of her dressmaking work.

"I am busiest from March to December really, from communions to weddings and then Christmas," she said.

Near her shop however are several vacant units. While the recently closed Lily's venue is soon to reopen under a new name, the former Office Centre remains vacant, alongside the unit Diana vacated, with the former Ken Blacks shop remaining derelict as is the old County Hotel, now covered in a mural.The most prominent nearby vacant shop, the old Shaws, has been rebuilt as Portlaoise library. 

The commercial vacancy rate in Portlaoise stands at 15.5 per cent, higher than the national rate of 14.3%, according to latest figures from GeoDirectory.

Evelyn Reddin, Head of Enterprise at Laois County Council outlined the help they give to businesses.

"The Business Support Unit at Laois County Council together with the Local Enterprise Office provides comprehensive support for businesses in Laois towns.    

"The Business Incentive Scheme encourages the use of vacant commercial premises over a three-year period and covers 75% of the commercial rates cost in Year 1, 50% in year 2 and 25% in year 3. 

"The Shop Front Grant Scheme supports the improvement of shop fronts, covering 50% of the cost up to a max of €750 per unit and the Vacant Commercial Property Incentive Scheme aims to encourage the use of vacant commercial premises within town centres. 

"The Local Enterprise Office provides additional support in the form of training and mentoring and in some cases, funding may be available to eligible businesses in the form of grants, trading online vouchers, lean, green and digital supports," she said.

For more information on the various supports and eligibility criteria, please contact the Business Support Unit/Local Enterprise Office   on 057 86 64000/057 86 61800.