Town Centre First
The Town Centre First Policy provides a co-ordinated, whole-of-government policy framework to proactively address the decline in the health of towns across Ireland and support measures to regenerate and revitalise them. The Town Centre First policy aims to create town centres that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community.
Key to Town Centre First are Town Teams comprised of local communities and local businesses who now have the opportunity to reimagine and shape the future of their town/ village. Each Town Team comprises of representatives of local residents, business people, community/ voluntary groups and other stakeholders who come together with the support of the Local Authority through a dedicated Town Regeneration Officer to develop a plan (Town Centre First Plan) and follow through with the all-important actions to make their area a better place to live, work and visit.
National Town Centre First Office
As part of the Town Centre First Initiative, a National Town Centre First Office, based in the LGMA and led by a National Town Centre First Coordinator has been established. The National Town Centre First Office will drive best practice implementation of policy actions and coordinate engagement with national stakeholders and the local government sector. The office supports and coordinates a network of the Town Regeneration Officers in 26 local authorities, who will bring a coordinated approach to the delivery of Town Centre First across the country and support local town teams.
A website has also been set up which provides details in respect of the overall Town Centre First Policy, as well as details in respect of the individual Town Centre First Plans that have been prepared to date.
Visit the Town Centre First website
Town Centre First - A Policy Approach Document is available below.
Download Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns
Carrick on Shannon Town Centre First Plan
In December 2021, Minister Humphreys announced €2.6m in funding for 26 towns to develop Town Centre First Plans. Carrick on Shannon was nominated by Leitrim County Council and approved by the Minister. The Carrick on Shannon Town Centre First Plan has now been completed under this pilot initiative.
Manorhamilton Town Team
Town Centre First Health Check
A comprehensive town centre health check for Manorhamilton was conducted by planning students from Queen's University on 23-24th May 2024. It provides a detailed analysis of Manorhamilton's current condition, encompassing the physical characteristics of the town centre and the perceptions of local residents. The health check aimed to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities within Manorhamilton, ultimately proposing some ideas to enhance its liveability, vibrancy and appearance.
The town centre health check methodology involved the creation of land use and vacancy maps, footfall and vehicle counts, parking surveys and analysis of Manorhamilton's public realm. These physical survey methods were supplemented by qualitative insights gathered through questionnaires and a consultation drop-in opportunities that utilised the Place Standard tool. The feedback obtained provided invaluable perspectives on the community's needs and aspirations.
Manorhamilton Town Centre First Plan
Funding has been secured by Leitrim County Council under the Town Centre First Suite of Supports 2024 under Measure 2: Town Centre First Plan from the Department of Rural and Community Development to prepare a Town Centre First Plan for Manorhamilton.
Tender Process
A request for tender issued on eTenders on 12th November 2024 to prepare a Town Centre First Plan for Manorhamilton town that captures the community’s own vision for the future development of their town.
The Town Centre First Plan must be in line with the Town Centre First Policy and should adhere to and compliment national and local planning policy, as well as incorporating the ideas and aspirations that have been expressed through various recent reports prepared for the area and Manorhamilton town. The Town Centre First (TCF) policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction, and breathe new life into our town centres. It highlights the importance of making town centres attractive, viable and vibrant places to live, work, visit and invest. It supports “Our Rural Future”, Ireland’s rural development policy which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being. It advocates for a holistic, place-based approach to sustainable rural development. The policy seeks to support towns of all sizes, recognising each town is unique and diverse and acknowledges that a “one size fits all” approach will not achieve sustainable and thriving communities. The following proposal brief sets out the service requirements, project context, project management and reporting requirements as well as tender response requirements to deliver a Town Centre First Plan for Manorhamilton.
The closing date for submissions is Friday, 10th January 2025 at 12:00.
Evaluation and Tender Award will take place as soon as practically possible after the closing date.
Ballinamore Town Team
The Department launched a new Town Centre First Suite of Supports in February 2024 that will provide an additional investment of €4.56 million for rural communities across Ireland.
The Suite of Supports will implement a series of measures for rural communities. Each measure is accompanied by its own eligibility criteria, thereby targeting a number of towns per county. These supports will ensure resources which are effectively allocated and provides clear support to local communities and town teams in leading the revitalisation of their towns and villages.
The new package of supports provides funding of up to €10,000 each for three towns to support the establishment and/or development of town teams where they are not already well established. Ballinamore, Kinlough and Dromahair were the towns nominated by Leitrim County Council.
Town Centre First Health Check
A comprehensive town centre health check for Ballinamore was conducted by planning students from Queen's University on 18-19th July 2024. It provides a detailed analysis of Ballinamore's current condition, encompassing the physical characteristics of the town centre and the perceptions of local residents. The health check aimed to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities within Ballinamore, ultimately proposing some ideas to enhance its liveability, vibrancy and appearance.
The town centre health check methodology involved the creation of land use and vacancy maps, footfall and vehicle counts, parking surveys and analysis of Ballinamore’s public realm. These physical survey methods were supplemented by qualitative insights gathered through questionnaires and a consultation drop-in opportunities that utilised the Place Standard tool in the Scout Hall on the afternoon of 18th and morning of 19th July. The feedback obtained provided invaluable perspectives on the community's needs and aspirations.
A public meeting was held and information was provided by the Town Regeneration Officer outlining the role of Town Team which can make positive long-term changes for Ballinamore.
The TCF Town Team will work closely alongside the Town Regeneration Officer and the Council’s multi-disciplinary Regeneration team.
A core Town Team has now formed and training has been provided by the Town Regeneration Officer on the formalisation of the Town Team structure and operation.
Kinlough Town Team
The Department launched a new Town Centre First Suite of Supports in February 2024 that will provide an additional investment of €4.56 million for rural communities across Ireland.
The Suite of Supports will implement a series of measures for rural communities. Each measure is accompanied by its own eligibility criteria, thereby targeting a number of towns per county. These supports will ensure resources which are effectively allocated and provides clear support to local communities and town teams in leading the revitalisation of their towns and villages.
The new package of supports provides funding of up to €10,000 each for three towns to support the establishment and/or development of town teams where they are not already well established. Ballinamore, Kinlough and Dromahair were the towns nominated by Leitrim County Council.
Town Centre First Health Check
A comprehensive town centre health check for Kinlough was conducted by planning students from Queen's University on 29-30th August 2024. It provides a detailed analysis of Kinlough's current condition, encompassing the physical characteristics of the town centre and the perceptions of local residents. The health check aimed to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities within Kinlough, ultimately proposing some ideas to enhance its liveability, vibrancy and appearance.
The town centre health check methodology involved the creation of land use and vacancy maps, footfall and vehicle counts, parking surveys and analysis of Kinlough’s public realm. These physical survey methods were supplemented by qualitative insights gathered through questionnaires and a consultation drop-in opportunities that utilised the Place Standard tool. The feedback obtained provided invaluable perspectives on the community's needs and aspirations.
A public meeting was held and information was provided by the Town Regeneration Officer outlining the role of Town Team which can make positive long-term changes for Kinlough.
Expressions of Interest were sought from interested members of the community to take part in the TCF Town Team. This Town Team will work closely alongside the Town Regeneration Officer and the Council’s multi-disciplinary Regeneration team.
A core Town Team is now being formed and training is being provided by the Town Regeneration Officer on the formalisation of the Town Team structure and operation.
Dromahair Town Team
Expressions of Interest
Leitrim County Council are inviting expressions of interest from the local community to create a dedicated Town Centre First (TCF) Town Team for Dromahair.
Dromahair Expression of Interest Form
Role of the Town Team
The role of a member of the Town Team will take a lot of work and dedication but they have a unique position in the community to become ‘local experts’ on their area and to take a lead on the development of projects that can make positive long-term changes for the town.
The TCF Town Team will work closely alongside the Town Regeneration Officer and the Council’s multi-disciplinary Regeneration team. Members must work on behalf of the community as a whole and not in their own interests or in the interests of an individual or a specific group(s).
Closing Date
Closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 04th February 2025 at 4:00pm. After the closing of this call for expressions of Interest a shortlist of applicants will be created.
How to register your interest
Please register your interest by submitting the Expression of Interest Form via e-mail to tcf@leitrimcoco.ie or by post to Town Regeneration Unit, Leitrim County Council, Aras an Chontae, St. Georges Terrace, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim, N41 PF67.
THRIVE Carrick on Shannon
Town Regeneration Officer
Ms Johanna Daly, Town Regeneration Officer
Leitrim County Council,
Áras An Chontae
St. Georges Terrace,
Carrick on Shannon,
Co Leitrim,
N41 PF67
Email tcf@leitrimcoco.ie