Councillors seek business rent reduction

Kilrush town councillors have urged owners of buildings in the town to reduce their rent if business in the town is to improve.
At last week’s monthly town council meeting, Mayor of Kilrush, Ian Lynch, said the town had changed significantly in recent times and that the council “needs to revive it”.
Councillor Liam O’Looney said the town council needed to market the fact that Kilrush has 30 minutes of free parking daily and free parking in the town until 10.30am every day.
However, Councillor Paul Moroney underlined the need for reduced rent in Kilrush.
“The owners of the premises need to be realistic with rents. We need to get the word out there that if business is to be done in Kilrush, we’ll be right behind it,” he said.
However, Councillor Marian ­McMahon Jones assured the
meeting that ­local building owners and business people will drop their rental demands.
On a similar theme, Kilrush town clerk John Corry revealed the town council is progressing plans to convert derelict buildings in the Vandeleur Walled Garden to accommodate ­enterprise units and a visitor museum.
“The council is in discussions with LEADER seeking funding for this project. Expressions of interest have already been sought from craft workers based in Clare and a number of these have shown an interest in being accommodated in these units.
“It is intended to seek expressions of interest from small enterprise to ascertain demand for these units,” Mr Corry added.
His comments were on foot of a proposal from Councillor Tom Prendeville that small enterprises be given a unit in which to work at the walled gardens. He has been campaigning on this issue for several years.