The Yard Hub project aims to lift life in Abbeyshrule

(Photo above) The Yard Hub directors and Abbeyshrule Community Group members, Edward Egan, Cepta Duffy, William Glennon, James Byrne, Philip Butler and Irene McGoey.

A renewal project in Abbeyshrule aims to enhance the economic prospects for the area, as well as the first impression of visitors approaching the village along the Royal Canal Greenway.

'The Yard Hub' project took a significant step forward last week, when Longford County Council Regeneration Department announced the signing of contracts for the appointment of architects de Blacam and Meagher for the project.

The Yard Hub involves the redevelopment of a derelict site to create a new village hub, space for economic and enterprise development and enhancing the first impression of visitors along the Royal Canal Greenway to Abbeyshrule and the county of Longford.

The Yard Hub will provide an opportunity for local people currently commuting to Dublin and other large urban centres to work remotely and bring activity to the village centre.

Longford County Council has been working with elected members and the community, as well as Waterways Ireland in the development of the project.

A new community group, The Yard Hub, has been established to deliver it and has carried out a lot of research into the needs and assessment of people in the area.

The Yard Hub will form part of a network of hubs that are in development and proposed around County Longford.

The hubs offer the opportunity for people to work locally rather than facing long commutes, which contributes towards the achievement of a low carbon economy and also enhances the work/life balance of citizens.

Paddy Mahon, chief executive of Longford County Council, said the council is committed to supporting communities to be more self sustainable, to stimulate growth of the region and support the transition to a greener economy.

“The appointment of consultants to progress The Yard Hub in Abbeyshrule is a significant milestone in the achievement of this aim,” he said.

The new cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Paul Ross, noted that The Yard Hub builds on the offering in the area already, including the Royal Canal Greenway, Center Parcs and the River Inny, and increases the attractiveness of Longford as a destination of choice for visitors and people to live.

A spokesperson for the community group said: “The Yard Hub directors and the Abbeyshrule community are delighted to see the next phase of this project begin.

“It has been the aim of the community and the Abbeyshrule Tidy Towns group for a number of years. With the help of the Longford County Council Regeneration team, we are soon going to have a dedicated remote working hub in the county open and ready for members.

“The facility will have remote working spaces, a meeting room and education centre, and a small number of enterprise units.”

Local entrepreneur Garret Flower (above), CEO of ParkOffice, says The Yard Hub will inspire the next wave of world class talent from an award winning village.

“Many people across the country are now embracing remote working post Covid-19, including my own company ParkOffice, which provides parking software for smart offices to companies such as Colliers, Indeed and CBRE globally.

“The Yard Hub will foster a creative community of collaboration and self-improvement focusing on IT learning. Longford is in the heart of the country with a safe and supportive community, a perfect springboard for any inspiring entrepreneur, I’m proud to call it home.”

Longford County Council Regeneration Team thanked the community group, who had the vision for the project and elected members and executive, who supported the project, and looks forward to progressing it.

The Yard Hub in Abbeyshrule is co-funded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) under Project Ireland 2040 and Longford County Council.

De Blacam and Meagher worked on the redevelopment of Abbeyleix library and Newbridge Town Hall.

John McKeon, head of Finance; Cllr Paul Ross, cathaoirleach of Longford County Council; and Andy Richardson, de Blacam and Meagher Architects.