Galway City prospers, towns around the county are suffering 30% closures

The wildly-contrasting fortunes of Galway City and County as the economic recovery takes hold has been put sharply into focus this week.

With the City reaping a new jobs harvest and retailers reporting substantially increased business in recent months, towns like Ballinasloe, Tuam and Gort continue to struggle oblivious of any ‘green shoots’ of recovery.

Indeed, this week Senior Planner with Galway County Council Saoirse Kennedy revealed that there were up to 30% vacant retail premises in the rural town centres in some cases.

Ms. Kennedy was discussing the local area plan for Ballinasloe where she stated that 31 of the 163 business units in the town centre were unoccupied – this represented 22% of premises that were no longer trading.

Shocked councillors reacted angrily. “Town centres across County Galway are being decimated. The city is getting the benefit of the recovery, but it is not filtering out to the rural towns. Town centre businesses are finding it impossible to maintain employment,” said Cllr Dermot Connoly.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.