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This story was first published on May 25th, 2009.
The Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership are delight to announce the establishment of a partnership between Ballymun Town Centre Ltd. and the Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership. This partnership involves the promotion of unoccupied retail outlets in the Ballymun Town Centre as a Retail Incubation Space. This retail incubation space will allow businesses to establish a presence in the area and test the viability of the retail market in Ballymun. Rents are subsidised by the Ballymun Town Centre owners Ballymun Town Centre Ltd., in the region of 50% to 60%, on what was being previously charged when occupied. These businesses will then be supported by the Economic Development Section of the Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership in terms of soft skills (essential skills) development, business development supports, micro finance support, and the possibility of becoming relocated into the new shopping centre development and or relocation to Ballymun Main Street.
Businesses can tap into a myriad of business networks including Dublin City Enterprise Broad, Irish Development Authority, North Dublin Chamber of Commerce, NorthDubCo, MECCA, Fingal Rotary, First Step, Small Firms Association, Invent, Planet, and the Economic Development Section of the Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership.
This initiative represents a significant opportunity to promote the Ballymun Town Centre as being open for business and more importantly as Ballymun being open to businesses. Business owners will be supported in an incubation environment by the Economic Development Section of the Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership. It represents a real opportunity to bring some vibrancy into the Ballymun Town Centre. The Economic Development Section of the Partnership looks to Temple Bar as a case study and an example of how a project like this can work and present significant opportunities in adversity. Not disputing some differences between the Ballymun Town Centre and Temple Bar, there are undeniably some very significant similarities with distinct possibilities for businesses and services that can be offered to the people of the greater Ballymun area.
This also an example of how in restricted economic trading conditions opportunities still present themselves. The quality of supports available to businesses is an indication of how successful a project of this nature can be.
If you have any further queries do not hesitate to contact the Enterprise Development Executive 01 582 39522 or email gerard@ballymun.org.
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