Leitrim is the best county to start a business, study reveals

Leitrim is the best county for launching a business, according to the Procure.ie research. 

Procure.ie, Ireland's leading business utility consultants, have rated the best counties for starting a business. 

The top five counties in Ireland for launching a business include Leitrim, Mayo, Wexford, Roscommon and Louth. 

With a population of 35,087, Leitrim emerged as a hidden gem for aspiring business owners. 

Despite its smaller size, the county has some attractive benefits, including an average office rent of €122 per square metre. 

Leitrim earned a remarkable overall score of 3.1020. With 0.0057 jobs per capita available, and one of the cheapest average rent prices for offices, this makes Leitrim a great place to run a business.

When analysing all 26 Irish counties, the study considered crucial factors like population, average office rent per square metre, average square metre, average salary, jobs per capita, and houses to rent per capita, all crucial things to consider when running a business. 

The study generated an overall score, offering entrepreneurs and businesses valuable insights to decide where to establish or expand their ventures.

Mayo, renowned for its picturesque parts, came in second with its population of 137,231; it offers a perfect blend of opportunity and affordability. 

Mayo also has an average office rent per square metre, coming to €116 and an average salary of €36,000, showing that it's a stable foundation for business growth. As a region with 0.0065 jobs per capita, the county offers an opportunity for business growth with an overall score of 2.5637.

Wexford, known for its golden beaches, comes in third place and proves that it could be a thriving business haven with an overall score of 2.4862. Wexford combines affordability with the average office rent being €177 and has the economic potential for growth with the number of jobs per capita being 0.0035. 

Roscommon and Louth take the fourth and fifth place, respectively. Roscommon, with a population of 69,995 and an overall score of 2.4472, stands out for its scalable business potential. The county's average rent is €130, and a larger number of homes available for rent contribute to a promising entrepreneurial environment that can attract workers. 

While Louth may be the smallest county in Ireland, it has a lot of untapped business potential. With its population of 139,100, Louth emerges as a hub of opportunity. 

The county's average office rent of €184, coupled with an average salary of €35,000, creates an enticing landscape for any business owner and potential workers. 

Sean Og O'Halpin, National Sales Manager at Procure.ie said: "Embarking on a business venture is both thrilling and challenging, and location can play a pivotal role in its success. 

"At Procure.ie, we understand that setting up or expanding a business involves a myriad of decisions, one of them being utility management. 

"By optimising office energy costs and cost-effective operational strategies, we empower businesses to focus on the things that truly matter."