New initiative aims to occupy empty city centre retail units

By Bernie Ní Fhlatharta

It is not often that property owners and artists interests are the same but a new initiative appears to have done that in Galway.

Space Invaders is a new idea to fill empty units in the city centre and promote the arts with exhibitions, performance space and workshops.The Eyre Square Shopping Centre has been the first to embrace the idea with its management recognising that the it certainly helps to give the sense that empty units are being occupied.

The owners of empty units don’t have to pay commercial rates so they would prefer to leave them empty than rent them out at low rents.But as Galway is full of arts groups – this week alone €435,000 was allocated to the arts by Galway City Council – it made sense to give the arts spaces for free.

Councillor Niall McNelis, one of the people behind the concept – the others are performer, James Harris and artist Margaret Nolan, says it also shows the commitment by the City Council of the arts.

“I am thrilled that it is taking off. It shows how important we think the arts are to the city. It is what makes Galway different and we should nurture the arts as much as possible.

“A number of the arts groups that have received funding from the Council will also be involved in Space Invaders.

“The units remain for lease, the artist displays their art forms at the shop window and it makes the area brighter. It remains rate free while the unit is empty and is being used as an exhibition space. The owner of the property gets clean windows, a shop front that is looked after and the unit is promoted at the same time. Everyone’s happy,” said Cllr McNelis.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.