Laois Offaly unite to tackle vacancy and dereliction in Portarlington

Laois and Offaly County Councils have teamed up with Laois Chamber Alliance and the Portarlington Business Association to launch a new scheme to tackle the problem of vacancy and dereliction in the town.

The local authorities and business groups ahve launch the Vacant Commercial Property Incentive Scheme in Portarlington. This Scheme was initially piloted in Portlaoise.

A statement issued by Laois Chamber said the scheme offers eleven potential financial supports and mentoring opportunities, for new or existing businesses interested in leasing or renting a premises that has been vacant for six months or more.

It said this scheme has been extended to Portarlington to encourage uptake by new and potential businesses on the town’s Main Street and its environs.

The statement added suite of incentives includes grants such as the Shop Grant Improvement and Accessibility Scheme, Shop Fit Out Scheme, a business promotion package with Laois Chamber Alliance, and a complimentary HR advice session with Laois-based Iridium HR.

Brenda Earl of the Business Support Unit, Laois County Council, spoke at the launch in the Laois Offaly town.

“We are excited to collaborate on this project with Offaly County Council the Laois Chamber Alliance and the Portarlington Business Association. It is a significant opportunity for businesses and property owners alike, which, has the potential to transform the Town Centre by reducing the level of vacancy in Portarlington,” she said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Orla Martin, Head of Local Enterprise Office at Offaly County Council, welcomed the partnership and noted that the scheme will encourage occupation of vacant commercial properties and will enhance the appearance and attraction of the town, contributing indirectly to increased footfall for existing businesses. 

In addition, it is hoped that the scheme will assist in addressing vacant shops in Port, supporting job creation, developing new markets and supporting existing businesses.

LEO Offaly has a number of productivity tools to assist business owners and these initiatives include LEAN for Micro, Green for Micro and Digital Start. Businesses looking to start or boost online retail can apply for the Trading Online Vouchers.

Caroline Hofman spoke on behalf of Laois Chamber Alliance and welcomed the extension of the scheme.

“Laois Chamber Alliance is delighted to be working with Laois and Offaly County Councils and the Portarlington Business Association to extend this scheme to Portarlington following a successful pilot in Portlaoise. We would encourage any business looking at leasing or renting a premises in Portarlington to liaise with us and to see what grants and supports are available to them.

"It is an excellent scheme that will encourage the uptake of vacant and derelict buildings by new or expanding businesses, enhancing the town and contributing to the fabric of Portarlington’s Main Street and its environs. We look forward to the scheme being extended to other parts of the county in early course,” she said.

Independent TD for Kildare South Dr Cathal Berry spoke on behalf of Portarlington Business Association. He thanked all involved for extending the incentives to Port.

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"It really is a fantastic opportunity for our local businesses and property owners to revamp and revitalise the town centre, along with ongoing work on the Market Square Regeneration, the Cinema Exploration Project and the Coláiste Íosagáin New Build. It is fantastic to see this scheme being rolled out as well to help further address the dereliction in the town. Great to see such positive progress taking place," he said.

If you are interested in availing of the scheme, please contact Brenda Earl or Sheila Cahill, Business Support Unit Laois County Council on 057 8664015, or Laois Chamber Alliance on 085 2566522 or e-mail info@laoischamber.ie