How much would Clonmel businesses have to pay under proposed new improvement plans?
Rate payers in Clonmel will be asked to pay no more than 5% of their annual rates bill under a new proposal to help revitalise the town centre.
A proposal to set up a Bid company (Business Improvement District) in the town has received mixed reactions since it was unveiled at the July meeting of Tipperary County Council.
Under the BID plans, businesses would pay a levy which would be used to fund an independent company, which would aim to improve services beyond what is provided by the local authority, as well as going towards initiatives such as the Christmas lights and the St Patrick’s Day parade.
Supporters say the scheme, already credited with boosting trade in Drogheda since 2019, could revitalise Clonmel’s struggling town centre.
Now, a proposal submitted to the council outlines the amount that businesses in the town would be asked to contribute if the BID proposal is successful.
How much would local businesses have to pay?
Under the proposals, businesses would be asked to pay a levy of 5% of their annual commercial rates to fund the BID company, with large companies being asked to pay a maximum of €10,000.
Businesses with an annual rates bill of €1,000 would pay €50 a year, while those with a rates bill of €5,000 would pay €250 a year to fund the BID company.
Companies with a rates bill of €10,000 would pay €500, with those paying €20,000 in commercial rates would pay €1,000.
At the top end, businesses with an annual rates bill of €50,000 would pay €2,500 to support the BID company, those paying €100,000 in rates would pay €5,000, while those paying €200,000 in commercial rates would pay €10,000.
The levy has the potential to bring in a total of €350,000 per year, the proposal says, with that money being reinvested back into the town centre.
The 5% BID levy would be set for the five year term of the Clonmel BID company.
In addition to the levy on ratepayers, the BID company would also pursue other funding streams such as public grant funding, partnership funding from Tipperary County Council for joint projects, event-based income, and EU funding and philanthropic contributions where available.
"An investment businesses decide on”
The BID proposal says that if implemented, it would drive increased footfall and vibrancy, revive the town’s night-time economy, improve infrastructure in the area, and market Clonmel as a business and tourism destination.
Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy said that the BID would help to create a vibrant town.
"A BID for Clonmel would mean a dedicated, business-led team focused solely on delivering projects that matter to local traders, from better promotion to cleaner streets, improved lighting, seasonal events, and stronger digital presence.
"Far from replacing Council services, a BID supplements and amplifies them — it’s an investment that businesses decide on, design, and directly benefit from. It’s about creating a Clonmel that attracts customers, retains talent, and makes local enterprise stronger, together,” Deputy Murphy added.
However, not everyone was on board with the BID plans, with local councillor Niall Dennehy saying it would be a “stake through the heart” of the town.
"This is a B.I.D to drive a further stake through the heart of an already impotent Municipal and Borough District system – subordinate sub-committees of this plenary council with no powers and no money,” Cllr Dennehy said.
"I see it as an admission by the proponents, of the powerlessness of Chamber and of Team Clonmel and town champions,” he added.
The BID plans would be put to a plebiscite to all commercial rates payers in the town, which would decide if the plans are implemented or not.