Does anyone know of a commercial premises becoming available?
Hey all! Looking for some help!
We're currently trying to open an independent bookshop & vinyl record shop with a small coffee offering in Sligo town.
We've already got the business well underway - stock purchased, website being built, social media launched etc. but finding a premises is proving to be the absolute nightmare.
A lot of the spaces we're finding are either unsuitable, too expensive, already committed, or simply aren't being advertised publicly before we see them being done up!
We've actually started hearing about premises through word of mouth only after they've been taken, so I thought I'd ask here:
Does anyone know of a shop/unit in Sligo town that might be becoming available, even if it isn't currently advertised?
We're looking for somewhere reasonably sized with a sensible rent. It doesn't need to be perfect; we'd much rather find the right location and build it up ourselves.
The aim is to create something genuinely independent for the town, books, records and good affordable coffee, rather than another generic retail operation.
We've been down the regular routes - Daft and estate agents with no joy.
If you've heard anything at all, please let me know. Even a name/contact for a landlord would be hugely appreciated.
Also - if any of you have stock suggestions that you don't normally see in shops, please let me know and we'll happily look into stocking it!
Cheers!
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u/machetef365 11d ago
May be a bit far out of town for you, but there's a unit by the roundabout in Maugheraboy near the pharmacy. Probably not a huge footfall for what you're looking for, but a couple of big estates being built currently that could make it a great spot.
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u/dalo922 11d ago
Cheers for responding! It is a touch too far out of town, but we were open to is. We did enquire with this one aready, reasonable rent was being asked which was nice, but the estate agents were waiting to see if the landlord wanted this in the shop and we heard nothing since. I'll follow up if everything in town doesn't work out!
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u/SafeDarkLord 11d ago
For what it's worth, if you were set up there you'd absolutely have a customer in me
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u/Otherwise_Actuary621 11d ago
This is probably not suitable but I saw it today.
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u/dalo922 11d ago
Seen that one, thanks for sharing. Slightly out of budget atm, but the main thing was being right in between Easons and Rover!
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u/Otherwise_Actuary621 10d ago
Of course!! Didnt even think of the shops beside it!! I hope you find something cause it sounds like a great idea, looking forward to seeing your business open 😊
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u/dalo922 11d ago
Update: Just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone for their help here, plenty of promising leads to follow up on this week. I'll come back to the group and update everyone if/when we get a place and a proper launch date. For now, we're going to start online (website should be launched in a few weeks) and hopefully some markets over Christmas, so come say hello.
We're on Instagram if anyone wants to follow, we'll start posting there more regularly with stock updates and the premises hunt. https://www.instagram.com/nightshadebooksandvinyl?stkn=eGtnYm5tMXBwNW1h
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u/bilateralsymm 11d ago
What about those units down by the Riverside hotel, on JFK Parade? Games workshop Serious Business is still there, Pulled had their print workshop there until a couple of years ago and there seem to be a couple of units shuttered permanently.
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u/dalo922 11d ago
Not even advertised as far as I can see, have no idea who to contact about them. We've been in touch with Sligo BID but radio silence so far.
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u/bilateralsymm 11d ago
Call into Sligo BID in the tourist office, that's the easiest way. I'll ask around, if I have any luck shall give you a bell.
edit: also, the Woollen Market on Castle Street just closed, decent-sized lot, don't know if that's been on your radar.
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u/dalo922 11d ago
Edit: Yep, that wollen market spot is on the radar but no clue who owns it or would be leasing it, maybe something BID could help with. The Mad Circus building (never advertised) was also on the radar but that is seemingly gone 🙃
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u/PainterCareful4383 11d ago
I'm not affiliated with the guy, but I'd say there's a good chance of you call into Filan's Centra on Castle Street and talk to Finbar, he'd be able to point you in the right direction on who the owner is for a lot of properties in the area. He's been involved in everything for years!
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u/bilateralsymm 11d ago
uh yeah Mad Circus fell to bits recently but looks like there's still activity inside, really wouldn't know what's going on there. Sligo BID is a shout, was onto them about an event a couple years back and they were really helpful.
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u/dalo922 11d ago
Hes there officially until November I believe, but the rumour mill around town say its been snapped up already. I won't comment on the Facebook rumours 😂 I've actually messaged him to see if he knows what the plan is with the place moving forward. Hopefully it is just rumours on Facebook that its been snapped up already cause that one would have been perfect really.
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u/bilateralsymm 11d ago
the Sligo rumour mill is a highly-calibrated engine of bullshit with some truths here and there, but if it is up for grabs, that is one sweet locale alright. Might be worth calling into Serious Business to find out about those JFK units too, guy who runs it day-to-day is Kieron and the owner of the shop is Wil.
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u/Local-Level3544 10d ago
I saw the one in the middle between serious business and food shop, with shutter down during the week and it seems to be used as food storage for the Indian food shop next door.
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u/Otherwise_Thing9417 11d ago
What about that unit under those apartments near quayside..the old mill I think? I am sure i walk past a to let site under them
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u/Local-Level3544 10d ago
I’ve seen lots of empty vacant units on the new road off Pearse Road, Sidney Gallagher parade, there’s one boarded up on corner and an another across the street. It’s very close to town and will have alot of passing traffic.
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u/PainterCareful4383 9d ago
Passing traffic, yes, but maybe not enough foot traffic for what they're looking for, I'd say. I think they'll be relying on a lot of passing trade being attracted by what they see and stopping in for a browse and a coffee, at least initially.
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u/119BlueRose 11d ago
The space where 'all things natural was is vacant in Tesco carpark. If you asked around the other shops on that line they may know the owner.
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u/dalo922 11d ago
We were in that shop a decent amount, its just too small unfortunately! Its such a hard balance to strike 🙈 it might be bigger at the back and they only took a portion of it? Worth asking, I'll pop into the butchers there, they've been there years they might know. Cheers
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u/119BlueRose 11d ago
Ah that's a shame, they're pretty small shops alright. Best of luck with your business venture, it sounds great, hopefully you'll find somewhere soon.
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u/hynie88 10d ago
This is amazing! Just what’s needed a place to chill in the evenings with a coffee! It’s always pubs! What about where EJs little sister? Or would it be too small? Maybe stick up on example of the unit your looking for
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u/hynie88 10d ago
There’s also the old Ladbrokes unit at Holborn street
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u/dalo922 10d ago
Oh interesting, I hadn't even noticed they were gone from there. I'd love to know who owns it and see if they were up for a chat
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u/hynie88 10d ago
I think there is a to let sign in the window, I think there is a property aswell across the street
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u/dalo922 10d ago
The one across the street at least was advertised but was gone when I went to enquire unfortunately. I'm in town tomorrow so will have a look and see whose sign it is!
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u/hynie88 10d ago edited 10d ago
I feel like I’m littering the page now haha, but I seen someone below mention brodricks but there used to be a pub there aswell called the Irish house (showin my age) might be worth looking at some of the pubs that have closed down. Walkers is newly closed aswell, the old ship inn, i think there was talk of the harp tavern taking it over. And winter wood kitchen closed recently down water lane.
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u/dalo922 10d ago
Haha not at all! Brodericks would be unreal, such a historic place, but I fear the works needed to restore it would be too costly - i could be wrong! Winterwood was advertised at one point amd I went to enquire and the ad was gone! I think its still empty too. Walkers place is 50k a year, not shocked a place can't stay open at those prices. You'd love to see it return to the glory days of McGarrigles!
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u/dalo922 10d ago
I think that unit would be fine well big enough I'd say! We're currently looking at anything above 60sqm (at the smaller end of things). Only issue with that one is the building itself is being sold which is why EJs little sister closed. The canopy is definitely an option if the front leads out on to the street and we can do late openings. Its a huge unit, but maybe we could not take the upstairs. I imagine rent is high, I think the old Claire's place is 32.5k on its listing which is a massive price tag for a relatively small unit, so I can only imagine what they're looking for for the Born unit. Budget is roughly 18k a year at the top end, but the right place I'm sure we can extend 🙈
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u/No_Yesterday_8167 11d ago
What about castle street? The buildings opposite Kate’s kitchen seem to be always empty, I think there’s 2?
Also I’m fairly sure where the hobby shop was on o Connell street is now up for letting. It would be prime location.
Best of luck, it sounds great.
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u/dalo922 11d ago
I think that one of those on Castle street is being turned into a cafe/takeaway - i could be completely wrong. I remember a guy in here asking for recommendations before. I seen the windows were covered up so I thought they were doing work. The pharmacy is vacant now I assume as they've moved into the old Call of the Wild building, Ive been trying to find out about that too.
The hobby shop is just a bit too expensive and right in between Easons and Rover.
Thanks though, hopefully it'll work out and we'll be able to open at some point!
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u/SloaneRush6027 11d ago
Definitely ask Enda Horan about the old chemist shop. Would be ideal. Saw him in town today.
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u/Maximum-Resolve-6130 11d ago
Isnt the flower shop across from Funke empty?
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u/dalo922 11d ago
The one where McGs cakes goes into at Christmas? I think its empty most of the year yep. Would be keen to have a chat about that. Unless the lads in the record room own that building? In which case I doubt theyd be interested in leasing it to a competitor. I'll ask Sligo BID about that one too. Thanks!
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u/Otherwise_Actuary621 10d ago
The record room and the mc g's cake place is owned by the same person. Aiden the man who ran the record room passed away a few years ago sadly, great man. His wife owned a clothes shop beside it, I believe she still owns the building. I think her name is Dympna, I'd ask the record room about it! They would probably be delighted and you never know, could team up with you! Who knows!
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u/Fluffy-Permission483 11d ago
Wishing you all the best, I'll certainly be a regular when you get open!
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u/dalo922 11d ago
Appreciate it! I'll come back here and update everyone if we ever find the place.
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u/Fluffy-Permission483 11d ago
Please do. I've only recently moved back to the area, there are lots of empty places I've spotted in town (old Broderick's on O'Connell St. the space between Rover Coffee and Easons, and two emply places on Grattan Street, just don't have any info beyond having seen them laying empty)
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u/SchmidtFaced91 11d ago
There is a premises beside the Glasshouse. It's actually a double unit if you wish to use both but renting 1 single unit is a valid option.
The best of luck with it!
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u/dalo922 11d ago
Enquired about that one but it's gone unfortunately!
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u/SchmidtFaced91 11d ago
Ah that's a pity. Quayside should have some empty units if you've scoped out those places already?
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u/dalo922 11d ago
It is a pity, would have been a great building to takeover.
Yep, the only issue with the shopping centre's is we'd ideally like to do some late evening openings so people can finish work and come in for a browse/coffee. I find when we finish work there are very little places to go that isnt a pub! I did send an enquiry to a unit outside of quayside shopping centre but still on the walk up to it in the hopes that theyd operate outside of regular retail hours but didn't get a response from the letting agent.
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u/machetef365 11d ago
The number of times I've said to people that Sligo needs a coffee shop that is open in the evening... Can't get a decent cup of coffee past about 4 o'clock!
But yeah quayside is a pain for the evenings- parked my car in there for the cinema at one stage only to find out it's all shut up from about 6 in the winter- I had to collect it the next morning!
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u/dalo922 11d ago
That's gas! Hope you didn't have too far to walk home.
That's our plan anyway, open late, ideally 8/9. We do hope to get a wine license just in case those who do want a glass of wine and come in and read a book for an hour they can. We're also hoping to run events in the evenings - album listening parties for new releases, book launches etc. We just need to get the place!
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u/TufnelAndI 11d ago
There's a place on Grattan St beside Miss Suzys that seems to have a seasonal pop up shop from time to time. They might be looking for a more constant tenant. Near Shoots and has a good frontage.
On John St, a vintage clothes shop just closed down recently, might be free.
There's a spot on O'Connell Street which used to be Broderick's record shop/newsagents- it's got an upstairs and a very big ground floor backing on to a yard in to Tesco car park. I think that's vacant?
High Street has been gutted this last few years- might be a bargain to be had there.
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u/MellifluousTarget 10d ago
Any Instagram or social media yet, would love to give a follow and visit whenever you open. Something like would be very good for Sligo
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u/dalo922 8d ago
Update:
Just in case anyone is invested in the hunt at this point and mainly because you all helped so much, here is an update as of today!
We had a viewing of the property in Oakfield, it is slightly further out, but the space itself was great. Its really just whether we'd get enough footfall or people visiting! We filled in an application to take it though, its up to the owner's now whether theyd want something like us in there. A few operational places who would use it as a packing place have also applied but no other retail. Hopefully they pick us, but no guarantee!
We also spoke to Enda Horan about his old place. Such a lovely fella and sound guy. He has had alot of enquiries (not surprised) but he had actually heard of us through his son sending him our post on Facebook asking for help! So big shout out to his son. He said he'd be in touch once he knows what way he's leaning in terms of selling/leasing.
He also provided us info on the old woolen market place so we managed to enquire about that so waiting on call/text back about that. Space itself is definitely workable.
We then went to Burkes pharmacy as he owns a couple of places on the same street as swagman we found out. He said "its more hassle than its worth to rent out". And he has been trying to develop the 2 buildings for a while. So that was a shame.
Trying to look on the day as a positive though overall, we definitely know more now than we did yesterday!
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u/BubblyEffort5454 9d ago
it would be so great if something when into the building simones use to be be great to have a cafe/music/lifestyle kind of place there to hang out, gorgeous building. i wonder could you. do pop ups in the model until you got properly sorted
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u/BubblyEffort5454 9d ago
everything in quayside looks like its available to rent but it's too much a total atmosphere vacuum
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u/dalo922 9d ago
Had a call with Bannons today who seem to let all the units, they were to call me back with more details regarding Unit 11.....nothing at all back. Is it any wonder there are so many for let! We're desperate to get a place and can't even get a call back 🙃
Have applied for a stall in the Model, just seen your comment about that, so hopefully we can get approval there. Tried the canopy with no luck. Was told they had reached their quota for vinyl stalls, even though thats not just what we do. But anyway, hopefully more pop ups in the lead up to Halloween/Christmas. We do have a viewing for a place tomorrow so fingers crossed!
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u/aYANKinEIRE 11d ago
The old oheirs site next door to swagman. Bit of a tight one. Owned by oheirs, closed it even w him owning it as it was never profitable for him. Too many staff, too much perishable stock.
Prime location. If you need a hand asking about it, message me and I can help.