Revealed: Commercial vacancy rates in Carlow have decreased since last year

The commercial vacancy rate in Carlow decreased to 13.6% in the twelve months to Q2 2023, according to the latest GeoDirectory Commercial Buildings Report, issued today. This represents a decrease of 0.4% compared to June 2022.

This was lower than the national commercial vacancy rate of 14.1%, according to the report prepared by EY.

The national commercial vacancy rate is the highest level recorded by GeoDirectory since it began reporting on the rates in 2013. 

Commercial vacancy rates increased in 20 out of 26 counties in the twelve months to June 2023, with a total of 29,798 vacant commercial units recorded across Ireland.

Carlow represents one of the few counties where the rates decreased. The lowest commercial vacancy rates were recorded in Meath (10.2%), Wexford (10.6%) and Kerry (12.2%).

At 19.9%, Sligo was the county with the highest commercial vacancy rate, followed by Galway at 18% and Donegal at 17.9%

Commenting on the findings of the report, Dara Keogh, Chief Executive of GeoDirectory said: 

“The latest GeoDirectory Commercial Buildings Report found the national commercial vacancy rate to be 14.1%, making this the highest level of commercial vacancy on record. Businesses are clearly still struggling with the increasing costs of doing business in regard to energy costs and food inflation. An additional challenge this year has been interest rate increases which are generating some pressures for commercial owner occupiers and tenants.”