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Midlands Commercial Vacancy Picture Slightly Improves Despite Persistent Blackspot Issues

Thursday, 20 March 2025 11:18

Towns in Laois and Offaly are still among the highest in the country for commercial vacancy rates.

Vacancy rates across the midlands have improved slightly in the last 12 months, according to a new report.

However the latest GeoDirectory Commercial Buildings Report shows, nationally, rates are at an all time high.

The picture in the midlands has improved somewhat over the course 2024.

GEODirectory's new report tells us Offaly still has the highest vacancy rates in the region, at 15.7% - that's down just 0.2% since the fourth quarter of 2023.

The rate in Laois has jumped by 1.1% to 13.6%, while the figure in Westmeath is 12.7% which is unchanged over that period.

However there remains some blackspots in Laois and Offaly where rates are among the highest in the country.

Over one in four commercial premises in Edenderry are vacant, up from 24.5% to 26.6% at the end of the year.

While the rate in Mountmellick has jumped 3.3 per cent in one quarter from 21.3% to over 24%.

The 30,635 vacant commercial units across the country represents an all time high, and 15 of the 26 counties surveyed recorded an increase by the end of 2024.

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