Laois business to expand and create jobs as council approves land lease

A Laois business is set to expand with the approval of a 500 year land lease by Laois County Council.

Councillors approved the lease of site number 4 in Portarlington Business Park, Cooltederry, to Alex Xander Bespoke Interiors who are currently based in Emo Park, at their meeting on June 30.

The 0.27 hectare site is being leased for the one-off sum of €132,000 to the business.

Owner Alex Xander spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live following the decision.

Delighted at the decision, he explained that they set up their timber joinery business 10 years ago in Emo Park.

They currently have four staff, hand making bespoke kitchens and wardrobes.

"We have outgrown our premises. We are expanding the business, we will be moving it from Emo to Portarlington and looking to take on three to four new employees.

"We plan to add a retail unit as well as the joinery, and to increase our sheet goods, or business to business sales," Mr Xander explained.

Cllr Aidan Mullins had proposed approval of the land lease at the council meeting, but not before he first queried it.

"Is that unusual? A 500 year lease?" he asked.

Director of Services Angela McEvoy said it is not.

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"It is the way we sold all the sites in Portarlington Business Park, it could be 99 years, it could be 999 years," she said.

She also confirmed, following a query by Cllr James Kelly, that there is no VAT charged because the land is leased not sold.