As County Sligo continues to top the list nationally for the number of vacant shops and offices in the country, the acting president of Sligo Chamber of Commerce says the High Street area is one in the town that needs special attention.
The latest GeoDirectory analysis of commercial vacancy rates for the second quarter of this year shows that Sligo recorded the country's highest vacancy rate, at 18%, followed by Leitrim at 16.2%.
Donegal's vacancy rate was 15.1%.
Ballybofey in Co Donegal emerged as the town with the highest vacancy rate, at 28.8%
Des Faul is acting president of Sligo Chamber of Commerce and runs Cafe Fleur in O Connell Street in Sligo.
He says the list of vacant premises is one on which Sligo does not want to be No 1:
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For many businesses, the cost of basics such as rates, rent and insurance is often a major obstacle.
Mr Faul, has been telling Ocean FM News, that rates, in particular, is one cost that cannot be avoided.
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