Some shops are showing Galway towns in very poor light

Fine Gael Cllr Alan Harney praised the work of the regeneration team but said he’d noticed ‘a proliferation of new businesses’ disregarding the council’s shopfront design principles.

In particular, he pointed to “some vape shops” whose signs and shop front designs, he said, showed little regard for neighbouring businesses or the character of town centres.

Cllr Harney has called on the council to proactively engage with businesses within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) to comply with the shopfront design guide – which was produced in 2023 - and to pursue enforcement where necessary.

He said businesses investing in improvements should not be disadvantaged by others ignoring agreed standards and that there should be “a level playing field” with all traders.

However, party colleague Cllr Peter Feeney (FG) said that while avoiding neon and plastic signs was desirable, the council should ensure that heritage policies do not unintentionally prevent worthwhile development.

“There is no problem with avoiding neon and plastic. That is desirable,” he said. “But not everything can be preserved.”

Concerns were raised about businesses operating without paying commercial rates as they were only open for a brief period of time before moving on.

The presence of “fly-by-night” shops was noted by Independent Ireland Cllr Declan Geraghty who said there are businesses that operate for months before appearing on the council’s radar.

Responding to the issues raised, CE Liam Conneally said the council aims to strike a reasonable balance between heritage protection and development, particularly within Architectural Conservation Areas.

“We have to preserve our built heritage but it has to be a reasonable approach to achieve our aims and objectives,” he said.

On commercial rates, he said council revenue collectors are closely monitoring business activity and enforcement.