A COUNCIL policy aimed at encouraging Limerick retail owners to rent vacant buildings in the city centre is “incentivising landlords to leave units idle rather than invest and rent them out to new retail owners.”
That’s according to Fine Gael councillor and chair of the Limerick City and County Council Economic Development, Enterprise, Tourism and Planning Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), Peter Doyle.
At a recent SPC meeting, the Limerick City East representative proposed a motion requesting that Limerick City and County Council “introduce measures to incentivise the use of vacant city centre retail units, such as one year’s rates exempt for new retail premises, and penalties for owners of vacant retail premises idle for over two years.”
Currently, Cllr Doyle said, landlords in the city are refunded 75 per cent of commercial rates on vacant units up to €3,000 per year, and 50 per cent rebate of commercial rates on units up to €12,000 per annum.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, Cllr Doyle said that idle shop units “are a blight on our city centre, we want successful retail shops in Limerick City to make our city centre an attractive place to shop”.
“New businesses would attract shoppers into Limerick and all retail shops would benefit. Existing shop owners and commercial rate payers are disappointed with the high level of vacant units in Limerick City.”
It was confirmed last week that planning permission has been granted to increase the number of rooms for a new aparthotel at the former Debenhams site, a long empty landmark building on O’Connell St.
The multi-million euro plan by Galway-based developer Dalespell, led by Michael McDonagh, will now have up to 74 rooms, with the addition of a new top floor.
Talks are also underway with developers to put two retail units on the ground floor, instead of the initially proposed one, with discussions ongoing with a “major” retail outlet to replace the Debenhams site, which closed in 2020.
Cllr Doyle welcomed the investment, saying he believes the plans will bring “increased footfall to the city centre, and is a good news story for Limerick”.
In a statement to the Limerick Post, a spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said that “as part of the Statutory Budget 2026 process, Limerick City and County Council will consider the potential for a scheme that provides either a grant or temporary business rates exemption for new independent retailers that occupy vacant premises”.
“This proposal will be considered in the context of preparing a new scheme for the SME sector and reviewing the existing Small and Medium Business Support Scheme and the Vacant Property Refund Scheme.
“Any scheme proposed would be a matter for consideration as part of the Annual Statutory Budget Approval Process,” the spokesperson added.
