FOUR new businesses are being established along Creeslough’s main street, bringing some vibe and employment back to the village.
The green shed beside McNulty’s Pub on Main Street is now occupied by the Creeslough Community Association while the old Creeslough Hardware has been converted into a showroom and stores for Donegal Log Cabins.
Last month, local man Dominic Lafferty, a graphic designer, established his own photography, design and print business ‘Donegal Creative’ in another unit on the main street while the old supermarket is set to reopen after Easter.
Plan to revitalise the area have been led by Creeslough born cousins Charles and Martin Sweeney who have been offering rent-free shops and office space to encourage new entrepreneurs into their home town.
Almost three years have passed since the pair took out a full-page advertisement in the Donegal News urging people searching for high return business opportunities to make contact.
Speaking from his home in Perth, Australia, this week Charles Sweeney said that he had been heartened by the response to their ad and subsequent stories published in the Donegal News.
“The positive articles would certainly have encouraged and contributed to these new four businesses being established in the main street bringing some vibe and most importantly employment back to the town in these trying times,” Mr Sweeney said.
Donegal Creative
We helped another new business get set up in one of our Creeslough units at the beginning of the month called “Donegal Creative” who is a local man by the name of Dominic Lafferty.
We’re also delighted to say the old supermarket will be reopening after Easter by another local man,” he said.
In 2015, Charles and Martin set up a company in Ireland, called the Perdon Group, and they purchased a lot of property in Letterkenny and Creeslough.
Among the properties they bought in Creeslough were Cresslough Hardware, Lafferty’s Supermarket and the Corncutters Rest on the main street.
“Those premises lay vacant for a few years. No one was making a move as it was hard to borrow money at the time in Ireland so we decided to move in ourselves,” he said.
In their ad, they said they were looking for shop owners and people with interesting ideas on how to fill them.
“We were looking for something that was creative, original, unique – not competing with existing businesses.”
N0 initial rent
Entrepreneurs using the buildings will pay no initial rent while an agreement can be reached to deduct any significant capital improvements made to the properties from any future rent that may be due.
Whoever secures the Creeslough properties will be given rent-free status for anything up to twelve months.
“We’re not trying to make a return on our investment because, in truth, we probably never will.
What we do want to see however is our home town thriving once more. We’re willing to give interested people the opportunity to make a big return from a small investment.
“You’ll move in for free and get the opportunity to try out your business idea.
“If it works and you’re making money then we can take a look at charging some rent. If it doesn’t work out you can close the door behind you and move on,” he said.
What are the catches?
“There are none. There really isn’t. If anyone wants to move in and give their business idea a crack then here’s your chance.
“We’re willing to rent out these properties to anybody who has a dream. You won’t pay rent at all until the business is making good profits and is in its second year open for business.
“You may pay a very low rent the second year of the lease then gradually increase it each year thereafter when your business is thriving,” he said.
Mr Sweeney added that anyone interested in the new business opportunities can contact Henry McCahey, DNG Boyce Gallagher, on 086 8216532 or email henry@dngbg.ie
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