New incentives announced to fill empty businesses in Laois market town

A Laois market town with a high number of vacant shops is to get a new boost to revive its Main Street.

Mountrath is the third town in the county chosen for a Vacant Commercial Property Incentive Scheme, following great success in Portlaoise and Portarlington in the past two years.

This week Laois County Council launched the scheme in Mountrath in collaboration with Mountrath Town Team and Laois Chamber Alliance.

Mark Sheeran is a local business owner and Chairman of Mountrath Town Team.

“One of the objectives of the Mountrath Town Team is to revitalise and re-energise the Town Centre and this scheme is the first step. We need to get footfall back into Mountrath and offering incentives to enable new businesses to set up in the town will both encourage more visitors to the town and also address the issue of vacancy in the town centre,” he said.

James McElwee, President of Laois Chamber Alliance was at the launch.

“It is great to see Mountrath making such an effort as a community to enhance the town’s appeal to all. Magnificent effort by all, particularly the Business Support Unit in Laois County Council and Local Enterprise Office Laois.

“As a gateway to the Slieve Bloom Mountains and all the riches it has to offer, Mountrath is beginning to tap into it and there’s a sense of recovery and optimism in the air from its much maligned past having suffered many years ago from the motorway bypassing it,” Mr McElwee said.

James McElwee, President Laois Chamber Alliance; Mick Rigney, Mountrath Town Team; Julie Bergin, Laois County Council; Brenda Earl, Laois County Council; Martin Meade, Mountrath Town Team; Cllr James Kelly; Aoife Keenan, Mountrath Town Team; Evelyn Reddin, Local Enterprise Office Laois; Caroline Hofman, Interim CEO Laois Chamber Alliance

Brenda Earl is from the Business Support Unit in Laois County Council.

“We are delighted to work with Mountrath Town Team in order to tackle issues with vacant business units in the Town Centre.

“This scheme 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 Mountrath,” she said.

The Vacant Commercial Property Incentive Scheme offers a suite of ten potential financial supports and mentoring opportunities, for new or existing businesses interested in leasing or renting a premises that has been vacant for 6 months or more.

The 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.

Caroline Hofman is interim CEO of Laois Chamber Alliance.

“On behalf of Laois Chamber Alliance, we are delighted to see the Vacant Commercial Property Incentive Scheme being extended to Mountrath, having initially been piloted successfully in Portlaoise and subsequently launched in Portarlington.

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“With thanks to the support of the Business Support Unit and Local Enterprise Office Laois, the suite of potential grants and supports available can assist in reducing the costs for any eligible business.

“We are also delighted to be offering a business promotion package to any new or expanding businesses availing of the scheme,” Ms Hofman said.

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