Clár Community Projects CLG
Enterprise Centre

Background to the Enterprise Centre

An enterprise centre is a must for a town like Claremorris to provide a safe incubator environment for start-up business. A feasibility study was carried out which proved conclusively that it was a necessary asset to Claremorris and financially feasible.

Agreement was reached with the developer of the old bacon factory to acquire 9,500 sq.ft. The area comprises a modern building of 7,500 sq.ft and an adjoining section of the old workhouse totalling 2,000 sq.ft. This is the last remaining section of the old workhouse which was to be demolished but will now be preserved by the Clár IRD

The two buildings were developed as follows

• Necessary structural work on the main building
• The division of this building into 5 Enterprise units
• The provision of a reception area, a meeting room, and kitchen/bathroom facilities in the lower portion of the workhouse
• The preservation of the workhouse with the hope to establish a gallery/exhibition area in the second storey of the workhouse and the provision of a community kitchen to facilitate small food producers.

A subsidiary company, Clár Community Projects CLG was set up to handle the purchase and development of the Enterprise centre. Grant assistance has been received from Mayo County Council, NCF, The Ireland Funds and Enterprise Ireland. Support was also being sought from the local business community.