Lidl agreement approval to spark economic boost for south Wicklow
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council has signed a 999-year lease to allow Lidl to take over two sites in a significant economic lift for south Wicklow.
The lifespan of the agreement means Lidl will be able to build a store in the Avondale Business Park in Rathdrum and operate it until 3025, a decision councillors described as “momentous” for the town.
The move, covering 2.13 acres at Corballis Upper, was approved without dissent, proposed by Cllr Pat Kennedy and seconded by Cllr Pat Fitzgerald.
Having a lease, rather than selling the land, means the council avoids the legal issues and costs involved in such.
Cllr Kennedy said the arrival of a multinational retailer represented a breakthrough for a town that has waited years for meaningful economic activity.
“While all businesses are very important, small and big businesses, they’re all equally important to the county,” he said.
“We haven’t had economic movement or development in Rathdrum for a very long time and I want to acknowledge the chief executive and the management team for the work that went into the business park over the last seven months.
“To have somebody as big as Lidl come to Rathdrum is momentous for our small town.”
His comments reflected a broader sentiment in the chamber that the council’s investment in preparing and marketing the business park is paying off. The decision also gives Rathdrum something it has lacked for years, a commercial anchor capable of drawing footfall, jobs and secondary investment.
Cllr Warren O’Toole also welcomed the agreement, but used the opportunity to highlight the absence of a permanent home for the local Men’s Shed.
While supportive of the Lidl development, he asked that the council consider whether one of the remaining sites in the business park could be allocated to the group, which has funds but no premises.
“They’ve been without something for a considerable amount of time,” he said. “Could something be looked into for community gain within the industrial estate, if at all possible? And if not, could a site suitable for the Men’s Shed be looked into?”
Cllr Peir Leonard added her own praise for the executive, singling out director of services Helena Dennehy for “hitting the ground running” since taking over the economic development brief.
She said the pace of site sales in both Arklow and Rathdrum was “tremendous” and would help reduce the number of people commuting to Dublin for work. “This will all bring local jobs,” she said. “It will be very welcome in Arklow and Rathdrum.”
Chief executive Emer O’Gorman welcomed the councillors’ comments, but made clear that the remaining sites in the business park are serviced plots, not buildings, and that the council is not in a position to construct premises for community groups.
“I wouldn’t propose that we’re in that space,” she said. While she did not rule out future accommodation for the Men’s Shed, she avoided making any commitment to reserve a site in the business park.
“We will certainly keep an eye,” she said. “I can’t make a solid commitment today that we will reserve a site in Rathdrum for the Men’s Shed in that business park, but we will certainly look to facilitate them.”