Incentive Scheme To Encourage Business Start-ups in Tullamore
20th March 2013
A NEW Business Incentive Scheme is to be introduced in Tullamore in an effort to reduce the number of vacant units and revitalise the town centre.
The Scheme which was unveiled by executive officer Miriam Brady at last week's meeting of Tullamore Town Council is grant aided and aims to reduce the amount of expenditure that new business start ups incur, including commercial rates.
The grant will be paid to qualifying applicants in respect of suitable units over a period of three years
It will involve the payment of a grant to the owners of the premises who will receive equivalent to 60 per cent of commercial rate demand in year one, 40 per cent in year two and 20 per cent in year three.
However, there are a number of conditions attached to the scheme.
The premises must be located within one of the designated areas of High Street, Bridge Street including Bridge Centre, Colmcille Street, Patrick Street, Harbour Street, Church Street, O Connor Square and Market Square West.
The premises must hold a certificate of street worthiness from Tullamore Town Council, (ie unit must be maintained during the period of vacancy to an acceptable standard as determined by Tullamore Town Council).
The unit must have been vacant and on the open market for sale or lease for a minimum period of 6 months immediately prior to the occupation by the applicant.
It must be rated or rateable.
The unit must be owned by the applicant or subject to a minimum 12 month lease.
The unit must have the appropriate permissions and consents for the proposed use.
The unit must have all rates, contributions and local authority charges paid in full at the time of the application and the proposals must respect the historic fabric of the town centre.
Premises excluded from the scheme include Take Aways, Amusement Arcades, Head Shops, Betting offices, Night Clubs, Public Houses and Unwanted Jewellery or Clothes Shops.
The scheme which was drawn up in consultation with Tullamore Working Group and Tullamore Chamber of Commerce will be reviewed annually.
'The number of vacant units have been a cause of concern for each and every councillor over the last number of years, It's important that we tackle that as a priority and this is the first initiative being brought forward from the Tullamore Working Group', said Cllr Sinead Dooley.
'We consulted as a group widely we brought a number of business people on board. I think the grant is very fair and I hope it is an attractive incentive to people who are contemplating starting a new business or someone in an existing business in another town who is looking at expanding in Tullamore,' she added.
Its important that people know there are no barriers to anyone who wants to do business in Tullamore. We will go out of our way to help people to start up.'
Cllr Sean O'Brien, said the initiative 'shows that this council is up front and coming forward with an active proposal and I encourage the chamber and businesses to come on board with us,' he added.
'It's a serious proposal one thing I would be concerned about... we need to have a stipulation in there which excludes someone from moving from one part of town into these areas. We want to attract new business into town rather than people taking advantage and moving from one street into another. I think we should have a look at that,' he advised.
Cllr McKeigue complimented the Executive saying it is very well put together.
'I would be looking for Main Street to be taken over, subject to the taking in charge by the Town Council. There is good footfall all around that area with the Bridge House Car park. If we had the same parking regime across the town it would be very good, This is a win win situation for everyone, the council has put their neck on the line here. If we only get five new businesses out of this it will be well worth-while' he concluded.
Cllr Molly Buckley said 'I support this proposal and I would like to pay tribute to Town Clerk Martin Daly who has put a huge amount of work into the Tullamore working group and Town Engineer Paul Devaney.
The scheme will be launched In April.