Creating a new vision for Trim

A PUBLIC realm plan, which will look at the use of public space in Trim, is to be created for the town.

The plan will be created in consultation with the public and will look at how everything integrates together in the town.

“It will look at all the public spaces and see what the are used for and if they can they be used in a better way,” said Cllr Noel French.

“Public realm plans have already been developed for Oldcastle and Athboy.

“It will take a lot of time and consultants will be appointed to carry it out.”

Cllr French said there are a lot of changes happening in the way we live and shop and we have to respond.

“Small family run businesses and groceries are in decline but we are seeing more services, like food, restaurants and craft shops and we have three tailors in the town,” he said.

Cllr French explained that it would be a case of re-imagining the town. He could see it as a creative town which would encourage more jobs, tourism and inward investment.

“Post Covid town centres will likely change forever, following increased online shopping and remote working. This trend started long before Covid.

“The town needs to be returned to citizens as a place not to just shop and work, but to live, dine, socialise and play in. This would tie in and support climate change actions.”

He would like to see housing over shops, in refurbished empty buildings, as well as new builds on brown field sites within the town.

“I would like to see health care services, leisure, entertainment, cultural and art facilities alongside necessary business and retail space.

“A mixed use town centre, with a diversity of activity beyond retail, built on a foundation of individuals as citizens first and consumers second, rather than the reverse, holds blindingly obvious benefits for our town's future.” he said.