New rural working hub to be developed at old canal stores in Abbeyshrule
Contracts have been signed with Doyle Construction, a local firm, for the redevelopment of the Old Canal Stores in Abbeyshrule as a rural working hub, Longford County Council has confirmed.
The Yard Hub project involves the redevelopment of a derelict site to create a new hub for economic and enterprise development and enhancing the first impression of visitors along the Royal Canal Greenway to the village.
The final project will offer a mix of individual offices and co-working spaces. The project will also include a purpose-built unit for the Abbeyshrule Canoe Club.
Work is expected to commence on site immediately. It follows the appointment of architects de Blacam and Meagher in 2020 to carry out the detailed design on the project.
The Yard Hub project received €522,265 in funding through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) from the Department of Rural and Community Development under Project Ireland 2040. Further support from Longford County Council has meant the project could advance to this stage.
The Yard Hub is located in the Waterways Ireland-owned Old Canal Stores building, which has been empty for years.
The project is an example of the work of Longford County Council Regeneration Department, bringing vacant and derelict buildings in the heart of town and village centres back into active use. It is also in line with the national: ‘Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy’.
The cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Peggy Nolan, welcomed the signing of contracts: “These hubs are going to offer people an opportunity to work locally rather than facing long commutes on a daily basis.
“It’s win-win, because it helps us work towards a low carbon economy and creates a better work/life balance for our citizens.” The chief executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon added: “The Yard Hub will form an important part of the network of hubs being developed around County Longford. Each of these new hubs will help to rejuvenate and revitalise our towns and villages by bringing new focal points back into the hearts of our communities.”
This project is driven by the local community group in Abbeyshrule, The Yard Hub CLG, which has been working in the background to raise awareness of the project.
This ensures that there will be people interested and ready to use the facility once open.
The group are also committed to ensuring a high standard of finish that reflects their ambition for the site. The commencement of construction is again raising renewed interest in the project locally as it moves towards fruition.
The Yard Hub is located in the centre of the village of Abbeyshrule, along the Royal Canal Greenway.