Locals have put partial blame on continuous road works.
A task force is needed to address the number of vacant businesses in a midlands town.
Athlone-based councillor Frankie Keena says there are nearly 130 empty premises in the town.
Locals have put partial blame on continuous road works in the centre of Athlone to create a new pedestrian street.
The Fianna Fáil rep says small businesses are the 'bread and butter' of communities:
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