New Business Incentive Scheme for Town Centre – Cllr Callan

New Business Incentive Scheme for Town Centre – Cllr Callan
Scheme to be in place in January 2011

Our town centre is to have a serious boost with a new business incentive scheme to encourage the use of vacant commercial premises in Drogheda Town Centre in the New Year which will offer a rate scheme which will have a phased implementation of charges to attract new businesses to fill vacant units.

Speaking to the Drogheda Independent, Cllr Callan said that he was extremely grateful to the council officials for working on the initial policy document he put forward in January as Deputy Mayor.

“This is a hugely positive move, our town centre has suffered greatly and this scheme will generate new business and new employment, in the same week we open our new tourist office in the Tholsel, we are definitely making moves in the right direction to getting Drogheda moving again”.

Speaking at the Council meeting on Monday night, County Manager Conn Murray referred to the proposed scheme as put forward by Cllr. Callan early in 2010 and said that the council had worked on the proposal and was implementing it in both Drogheda and Dundalk.

The policy document states that the aims of the scheme are to,“ actively promote the development and enhancement of retail floor space in key areas of Drogheda Town Centre most visibly affected by the economic downturn and to enhance the vitality of the Town Centre and commercial well-being of the town and job creation and employment”.

According to Cllr Callan, “We have opened our Tholsel building to the people of the town and to tourists, we are making good sound decisions about our town and this decision to have a business incentive scheme will help fill empty shop units that have been vacant for two years or more. The business incentive scheme will be run for two years only so we will see new businesses starting up in our town centre.

I am aware of the fact that the Borough Council will be advertising details of the scheme in the coming weeks and updating the public on the scheme but some important points to note are that the premises must be vacant for two years and will then be eligible for a grant of 50% of rates in year one and 25% in year two. The scheme is conditional on a three year lease being signed by the new occupier, evidence of which must be shown to the Borough Council.

Cllr. Callan also stated that the Council officials had followed his draft scheme by making provisions to ensure the scheme is not abused.

The Council will allow premises to be subject to the scheme for a shop as defined in the planning legislation and as office space, medical or health professional clinics or as a crèche, day nursery or day centre. Uses which will not be allowed include takeaways, amusement arcades or premises with gaming machines, head shops, betting offices, nightclubs, or premises where unauthorised development has taken place or which are subject to enforcement proceedings.

I hope that this scheme can help people who are interested in setting up their business in our town centre, who will create jobs. I think it sends out the message that Drogheda town centre is open for business and attractive as a location in which to do business. I thank my Council colleagues for their support and the officials of Louth County Council and Drogheda Borough Council for their work in the area.