User:rorynoonanDate:04/04/2013Time:08:13:02Edition:04/04/2013Thuthurecho040413Page:1Color:

S e r v i n g C o r k f o r 1 2 0 y e a r s

EE - V1

EDITION NO. 34,877THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013 RRP: e1.50

04.04.13

Recommendedretail price

€1.50

Cobh launches ratesaid deal for shops

Town’s plan to tackle scourge of vacant buildings is getting nation-wide attention

By RONAN BAGNALLLOCAL AUTHORITIESthroughout the country arelooking at a scheme in Cobhwhich is being introduced todeal with the scourge ofvacant buildings in towncentres.

Cobh has 17 empty buildings alongits main retail strip in the towncentre. These range from formerpubs, restaurants, newsagents, retailunits, and an idle bank, which allfell victim to the economic environ-

ment. The number of vacancy build-ings in town centres have become amajor cause for concern, as shopscontinue to cease trading because ofdepressed consumer sentiment andthe costs of doing business.

As revealed recently in the Even-ing Echo there is a current vacancyrate of 20% in Cork city.

However, Cobh has come up withan innovative scheme that helps fill

the idle units. Other local authorit-ies are taking notice of this scheme.

The initiative adopted by CobhTown Council effectively cancels outthe cost of commercial rates forstart-up businesses — the firstscheme of its kind in the country.

It enables the town council to offergrants to offset commercial rates forstart-up retailers and restaurantsthat occupy buildings that have beenlying idle for more than two years.

The deal also links in with land-lords who are encouraged to match

the rates write-off with a reductionin rent for new businesses.

In the first year of operations, abusiness can avail of a grant to theequivalent of a full year of commer-cial rates.

In year two, it is 50% of the rates.This could potentially save a small

business €3,000 a year if they got thegrant and matching rent reduction— and much more for medium tolarge businesses.

The aim of the initiative is to givenew traders a leg-up by removing

one of the costs of doing businesses.The scheme was the brainchild of

town councillor, John Mulvihill Jnr,who said:

“In this economic climate we needto give new start-ups any help wecan. Other local authorities are nowlooking at the scheme we have inCobh, to see if they can learn fromus. I’ve been contacted by local au-thorities around the country andI’ve been invited to speak to Galwaycity council about it.”● See pages 10 and11.

We’re off to China!

Gill Blackburn and Gráinne Collins, Loreto, Fermoy. who are part of a group ofstudents from almost 20 Cork schools who departed to Shanghai yesterdayas part of the largest ever delegation of Irish students to visit China. Thegroup will spend two weeks immersed in Chinese culture on an Easter Camporganised by University College Cork and Shanghai University.

Picture: Provision

An unoccupied retail buildingat Eastbeach in Cobh.

CORK Northside Blarney Street T: 021-4393315 | Harbour Point Business Park, Little Island T: 021-4355506Southside Industrial Estate T: 021-4316668 | Open: Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 & Sun 2-5.30WATERFORD Butlerstown Retail Park, Waterford T: 051-599036 | OPEN: Mon-Thurs 9.30-6 Fri 9.30-7 Sat 9.30-6 & Sun 12-6

LivingEZLivingVienna Marble Table and Six Chairs - 180cm x 100cm

was €2,499 NOW ONLY €1,499Vienna Marble Table and Six Chairs

ViennaImmediateDelivery