Big plans for Portlaoise's Centrepoint site to meet surge to Laois county town

A Portlaoise entrepreneur who has blazed a trail in Laois with his remote working hub says there is a huge interest from firms who want to locate in the county town.

To facilitate them Eamon Callaghan, founder and operator of Vision85 in the Clonminham Industrial Estate, has put forward a range of ideas that he believes will mean more jobs for Laois.

One ambitious and visionary plan that he's involved with is a proposal to redevelop the landmark Centrepoint site on the town's Mountrath Road.

Mr Callaghan recently took to LinkedIn to express his views.

“Frustrated ain’t the word. I have looked at expanding Vision85 but finding the right space has become impossible.

“I currently have over 20 businesses looking for office space in Portlaoise. That would bring over 60 jobs to town. These include 2 UK companies.

“Also, I am receiving up to four calls weekly for office space and am turning businesses away. I tried to suggest other hubs around the county but Portlaoise is where they want,” he said.

Within a few days of the post, he had made progress the owners of several loal properties reached out and he was able to facilitate some of the companies who want to set up here.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live spoke to Mr Callaghan about what he is witnessing and what can be done to match the demand.

“Businesses are ringing me since last September., up to 70% from outside the county, who want to locate in Laois. My frustration is saying no to them,” he said.

Mr Callaghan said he many of these firms want to set up in properties that offer convenience. He said their priorities are pay-as-you-go use of office space, parking and high-speed internet.

He said Vision85 is a 13,000 ft premises and there are about 20 firms already located in it. He said these range from IT, services, recruitment agencies, and Government bodies. Mr O'Callaghan says firms are contacting him from around the country including Dublin.

Because of the shortage of space in the town, he has encouraged firms to look at the remote hubs around the county but their minds are set on Portlaoise.

As to why the Laois is so sought after he said location is a key factor. Cost is another incentive. He says they prefer to set up in a remote hub because of the pay-as-you-go model which removes a lot of stress for them.

He has been approached by companies with up to 20 employees looking for a Portlaoise base.

Another demand from firms in the cities is for locations to have meetings on an hourly basis. He also sees a growing trend in people wanting to mix home working with operating in an office-type setting which hubs allow.

He says while Portlaoise is the most popular location in Laois, all the other Laois hubs are starting to fill up due to the demand.

Mr Callaghan believes that with suitable accommodation in such short supply, the owners of existing and possible vacant or under-occupied properties should see opportunities.

He said some existing premises such as retail, especially on main sreets, could reconfigure to share their premises.

He also believes other new approaches could be considered. He formerly operated a barber shop with his brother on Main St in Portaloise. They decided to relocate to Vision85 and operate on an appointment basis only. He said parking was a factor in allowing them to take this step.

While his main focus remains Vision85, he is involved in an initiative in Portlaoise at the old Centrepoint shopping centre on Mountrath Road.

While a long-term project that may not materialise until until later this decade, Mr Callaghan said that if given the green light it would be a 40,000 sq ft mixed-use development.

“It's a new concept that will work very well in Laois. It's mixed-use that is not solely offices. We are trying to create a new type of premises that would include retail and office,” he said.

Part of the premises would be the creation of a digital innovation/agriculture technology space. Apart from facilitating learning and training locally in tech with a focus on agriculture, he said the hub would also be a place for social interaction.

The Centrepoint site has been vacant for nearly two decades. After becoming derelict the only building was knocked in 2021.

Mr O'Callaghan said he has and will work with all local agencies to help deliver the potential of Laois.