New Ross retailers urged to apply for grant to convert vacant units into rental properties to ‘rejuvenate the town’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Shop owners in New Ross have been urged to avail of a grant worth €140,000 to renovate empty premises above their businesses. With an estimated 250 vacant properties in the town centre, the grant would, according to one local councillor, completely “rejuvenate” New Ross.

Last month it was confirmed that the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which includes premises above retail spaces, had been increased to between €95,000 - €140,000 depending on how many vacant units require renovation. And at the January meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) Councillor Pat Barden urged those operating in the town to avail of this government-approved scheme.

“If you a have few empty rooms over your shop €140,000 could do a lot of work on those, there’s roughly 250 properties with very little going on in them. This could rejuvenate the town.”

The intention of the grant is to convert empty spaces into full-time rental units for permanent use rather than Airbnbs, and, while it could potentially increase the number of available properties in New Ross, Cathaoirleach John Dwyer envisaged one fatal flaw.

“There is no on-street parking in the town,” he said. “That’s 250-300 additional car parking spaces that we don’t have. We have to be realistic about that.”

Having spoken to local retailers, Cllr Bridín Murphy also sounded a note of caution.

“It’s important to note they have to pay up front to get this grant, and in a town where there are access issues, fire regulation issues, safety requirements, that’s a lot of money,” she said. “They’re going to wonder how viable this is going to be; they have to jump through a lot of hoops to get this grant”.

“Economics will dictate if this is successful or not,” replied Cllr Dwyer. “If it’s financially feasible for owners to invest money they will do so. But, regardless, our ground floor structures should be retained as shops.”

Speaking in the wake of another town centre closure, with the Lady Lane Boutique announcing its decision to cease trading earlier this month, there was general recognition of the difficulties businesses face heading into another year.

“I don’t think every retail property is viable any more, to put a business into it, pay rent, pay staff, it’s very difficult,” noted Cllr Marty Murphy.

Meanwhile, those who hoped New Ross might one day get a Dealz to go along with the recent arrival of McDonald’s and Domino’s will, according to director of services Eamonn Hore, be left disappointed.

“We’re never going to get Dealz or a Mr Price into New Ross because the floor area is too small in the retails units,” he said.