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Mayor Corcoran is calling on Fermoy Town Council to suspend commercial rates for new businesses opening up. Photo: The Avondhu

Mayor Olive Corcoran is calling on Fermoy Town Council to suspend commercial rates for new businesses opening up in vacant shops. She has a motion to that effect before the December meeting of the town council next week.

She says the idea isn't her own, and that it was suggested to her by a number of retailers in the town, who believe it would help kickstart the stagnant local economy, improve footfall and generate more business overall.

"I'm told that in many cases the rates are now higher than rents," the Mayor told The Avondhu this week.

She would like to see the rates 'honeymoon' given to anyone setting up in vacant premises in the town between now and when the town council is abolished in May next year, at which time Cork County Council will take over the collection of commercial rates.

Meanwhile, her Fianna Fail colleague, Cork County Councillor Frank O'Flynn, is calling on the county council to cut rates for small and family-owned businesses in their budget for the year ahead. The county council's budget meeting is due to be held on Friday, though the council hasn't as yet received its allocation from central government.

Cllr O'Flynn says a reduction in commercial rates would be an incentive to open new businesses in closed premises.

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