Bid launched to revitalise town centres

Retail Excellence Ireland is launching a new framework in an attempt to revitalise town centres and cities across the country.

Backed by some 6,000 retail outlets across Ireland, REI is planning to establish rent and rate-controlled spaces in the town centres as well as introducing a scheme to fill problem properties that have been vacant for long periods.

A more controversial scheme that REI is hoping to usher in will see the application of a levy to fund the regeneration of towns. REI hopes to apply a levy charged as a proportion of the local authority rates that would fund a business improvement system.