Problem of empty commercial units improves in Offaly
The level of empty commercial units on the high street in Offaly remains above the national average - but the situation has improved over the last twelve months.
That's according to figures in the latest GeoDirectory Commercial Buildings Report, which is compiled by Ordnance Survey Ireland in conjunction with An Post.
The report found that, as of June this year, some 15.7% of commercial or retail properties in the county were idle. This was higher than the national average of 14.6%, but it represented an improvement on the 16% vacancy rate recorded in Offaly a year earlier.
Of the urban areas in Offaly surveyed, Edenderry again had the highest commercial vacancy rate at 26.6%, which was unchanged from a year earlier.
Birr had the lowest vacancy rate at 15.5%, down from 15.9% in June 2024, while Tullamore also saw an improvement in the level of empty units, which fell from 19.9% midway through 2024 to 18.9% twelve months later.
In Leinster, excluding Dublin, Edenderry was the town with the second highest vacancy rate, behind Edgeworthstown in Longford. Tullamore had the eighth highest vacancy rate in the province, while Birr ranked 16th.
An analysis of the report, prepared by EY, found that the national commercial vacancy rate of 14.6% in June 2025 represented a new high, with a total of 30,800 commercial units classified as vacant across the State.
Meath, at 10%, was the county with the lowest commercial vacancy rate in the country and the only county in the State with a vacancy rate not above 10%.
Of the 80 main towns and urban areas surveyed by GeoDirectory nationally, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal registered the highest commercial vacancy rate at 33.7%.
Annette Hughes, Director at EY Economic Advisory, commented: "In the second quarter of 2025, the commercial property vacancy rate rose in 17 out of the 26 counties, continuing a trend of more than half of the counties experiencing an increase in vacancy rates.
"Overall the commercial vacancy rate is continuing its upward trajectory at the same time as residential vacancy rates have reached historic lows.
"This trend highlights the significant challenges and market dynamics commercial businesses have faced in recent years, in spite of the strong overall economic performance of the Irish economy.
"Evolving shopping preferences and ongoing cost pressures on businesses and households continue to impact the sector, although the extent of their influence will vary depending on factors such as location and sector."