County Council helps Retail Sector

05/04/2012 16:40:56

South Tipperary County Council has announced a scheme to help the retail sector in the county. The Commercial Incentive Scheme will provide a grant to new businesses in vacant premises in the county, assuming all the requirements are met. It is designed to reduce the number of vacant premises in the town centres, to improve the diversity of towns centres, to increase footfall and to assist in job creation. The town councils in the county [Tipperary, Cashel, Clonmel, and Carrick-on-Suir] have their own similar schemes and enquiries re: premises inside their boundaries should be made to the relevant Town Clerk.

The Scheme applies to
• the County Council area, i.e. the county outside the main towns but including Fethard and Cahir. It applies to most of the villages.
• Ground floor premises, with large front windows, empty for at least four months, owned or leased by the applicant
• Premises with appropriate permissions and all rates and charges paid up to date.
• Generally to all retail businesses of a type not already open in the area, the intention being not to displace existing businesses.
If the application is successful a grant equivalent to 75% of rates paid will be given in year one, 50% in year two and 25% in year three.
Cllr. Michael FitzGerald, Cathaoirleach of the County Council said.’ I welcome this Scheme as part of the Council’s contribution to supporting and sustaining our retail sector. It is one of the actions which we, with the support of the other stakeholders, will be rolling out during the year’
Cllr Michael Murphy, Chair of the Council’s Strategic Policy Committee for Physical and Economic Planning and Development commented 'Given the ever increasing number of vacant commercial units in the County, I welcome the introduction of the scheme which attempts to assist new commercial business to set up and establish their ventures. As a consequence of the decline in the economic health of the country and with disposable income at an all time low, the sector is experiencing growing difficulties in terms of sustaining their business. The scheme is an honest attempt to reduce the number of vacant units and increase the vibrancy in our town and village centers’, thus benefiting existing businesses as well.'
The Scheme is now open to applications. Applicants should consult the full Scheme for further information[see www.southtippcoco.ie ].
For information and application forms contact Pat. Holland Administrative Officer at pat.holland@southtippcoco.ie or 052 6183890
ENDS

05/04/2012 16:40:56