Leitrim businesses offered 100 per cent rates waiver in first year

A new Rates Incentive Scheme, which will see rates waived for new businesses in the county, was approved at Leitrim County Council’s annual budget meeting on Monday, November 9.

Head of Finance Vincent Dwyer explained at the meeting that the scheme is aimed at businesses that are new to Leitrim or are expanding within or into the county.

Under the scheme, eligible businesses will receive a 100 per cent waiver of rates in year one, a 50 per cent waiver in year two and a 25 per cent waiver in year three, with full rates becoming payable from year four onwards.

“It is designed to encourage types of businesses that are desirable in town centres,” said Mr Dwyer at the meeting.

A range of business types will be prioritised under the scheme, including start-ups, bookshops, creative industries, drapery shops, hotels and accommodation, office space, live music venues, restaurants, education and training facilities, artisan food businesses, bakeries, gift shops and craft businesses.

However, certain business types will be excluded to help maintain a diverse range of services and avoid an overconcentration of particular retail outlets.

These include amusement arcades, barbershops, casinos, charity shops, nail bars, phone shops and repair businesses, takeaways, vape and e-cigarette shops and betting shops.

Mr Dwyer told the meeting that people are entitled to appeal.

The initiative received support from councillors at the November 9 meeting, where a 3.5 per cent increase in commercial rates was also approved.

Independent Manorhamilton councillor James Gilmartin has welcomed the new Rates Incentive Scheme, which will come into effect on January 1. He said the initiative would help remove some of the financial barriers facing people who want to establish a business or invest in a vacant property.

Welcoming the initiative, Cllr Gilmartin said, “We have vacant commercial properties in towns and villages throughout Leitrim, and we need to do everything we can to encourage people to bring these buildings back into use.

“Starting a business involves considerable expense, particularly in the early stages. A 100 per cent rates waiver in the first year, followed by reduced rates in years two and three, is a very welcome incentive for anyone considering taking on a premises and creating a new business.”

To qualify for the scheme, a property must have been vacant for at least 12 months. Applicants must be the owner or lessee of the premises and provide either proof of ownership through the Land Registry or a lease agreement of at least four years.

Businesses must also be fully up to date with their commercial rates or have an agreed payment plan in place, and have no other outstanding liabilities to Leitrim County Council.

The proposed business must comply with the property's planning permission, with any unauthorised development or outstanding planning enforcement issues regularised before an application is submitted.

Applications cannot be made retrospectively, and the main business activity must remain as originally approved unless the council gives prior written consent to a change. Each application will be assessed individually and reviewed annually.

Continuing, Cllr Gilmartin said, “The benefits go beyond the rates relief itself. Bringing vacant properties back into use means more businesses, more employment opportunities, increased footfall and greater activity in our towns and villages.

“We need a good mix of businesses and services in our communities. Supporting local enterprise and encouraging new investment is essential if we are to address vacancy and ensure our towns and villages remain attractive places to live, work and do business.”