Major retail revitalisation programme to be rolled out across Carlow

The Carlow Town Team were represented at the launch with Minister Bruton by Tom Barry, county manager and chairperson of Carlow County Enterprise Board, David Fitzsimons of Retail Excellence Ireland, John Brophy, president of the Carlow Chamber, Turlough O' Brien, CEO of the Carlow Chamber, Kieran Comerford, CEO of the Carlow County Enterprise Board and John Brennan, chairperson of Carlow Town Team

Shop front improvement schemes and increased supports on offer to new retailers as part of €130,000 investment

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A major retail revitalisation programme has been launched for County Carlow, which aims to bring more retailers and new jobs to south Leinster.

The ‘Carlow Town Team Revitalisation Programme’ features seven key supports with an investment of over €130,000. The plan is being rolled out by host of organisations working together, such as the Carlow County Enterprise Board, the local authorities, the Chamber of Commerce and Carlow IT.

Setting out to improve the retail environment for existing businesses and to encourage new retailers to ‘set-up shop’ in the town, the ambitious programme includes grants for commercial rates, shop front improvement schemes for vacant properties, pop-up shop opportunities along with training programmes for those working in the sector.

Launching the Carlow Town Investment Prospectus in Dublin, Minister Bruton said: "This is a great example of how by working together businesses can help revitalise the enterprise environment and create jobs. I wish every success to all involved".

Tom Barry, county manager and chairperson of Carlow County Enterprise Board pointed out that Carlow’s population is growing faster than the national average, with the second largest increase in disposable incomes levels.

In addition to the new investor prospectus, the Retail Excellence Ireland-backed programme includes a ‘Rates Incentive Grant Scheme’, offering up to 5% off commercial rates for 2014; a ‘Vacant Property Retail Incentive Scheme’, to cover store fit-out and shop front improvements; an ‘Art, Craft and Food Shop’ incentive scheme on several specified streets, a ‘Pop-Up’ scheme for temporary retail space, a ‘Retail Development Programme’ to improve retail skills of store owners and a ‘Start Your Own Retail Business’ workshop for those thinking of opening up a new retail outlet locally.

Details around the Carlow Town Revitalisation Programme, including a copy of the prospectus, are available from www.carlow.ie/business.

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