The number of vacant commercial buildings in the county’s main towns continues to rise.
The latest figures from data analysis firm GeoDirectory show that Shannon and Kilrush now have the second-highest rates in the country and the province, respectively.
GeoDirectory’s Commercial Buildings Report for the final quarter of 2023 shows that 15.7% of all industrial units in Clare are now lying vacant.
Between October and December last, the rate of commercial vacancy in Shannon rose to 29.8%, which is the now the second highest level in the country, just behind Edgesworthtown in Longford that had a rate of 30.2%.
The proportion of vacant buildings also grew marginally in Kilrush to 24.6%, which is now the second highest rate in Munster.
Over the past twelve months, Ennis recorded the greatest increase in vacant commercial premises locally, rising from 18% to 18.6%.
According to GeoDirectory more than one-fifth of commercial buildings in Clare are attached to the food and accommodation sector.
At the end of 2023, there were 972 buildings involved in the industry, which is 24 fewer than this time last year.
