THE commercial vacancy rate in Limerick increased to 16.7 per cent by the end of last year, according to the latest GeoDirectory Commercial Vacancy Rates Report.
Nationally, the commercial vacancy rate was 13.9 per cent in the same period, the highest level of commercial vacancy recorded by GeoDirectory since the report began in 2013. The report, prepared by EY, found that commercial vacancies increased in 15 out of 26 counties.
This report examined the commercial vacancy rates among a sample of 80 towns located across the State. Of all the major urban areas in Limerick surveyed, Abbeyfeale had the highest commercial vacancy rate (23.6 per cent), while Limerick City had the lowest (19.4 per cent).
The highest commercial vacancy rates were recorded in the west of the country, continuing the trend observed in previous reports. Sligo, at 20.0 per cent, was the county with the highest commercial vacancy rate, followed by Leitrim and Roscommon, both at 17.1 per cent.
Meath at 10.2 per cent was the county with the lowest commercial vacancy rate in the state, with Wicklow at 10.4 per cent and Kerry at 11.3 per cent also recording notably low rates.
In Dublin, the commercial vacancy rate increased by one per cent in the year, reaching a rate of 12.9 per cent.
