The revitalisation of Longford's lower main street is possible with small steps according to the President of Longford Chamber of Commerce. The section of the town near the former Connolly Barracks has seen high levels of commercial vacancy over the past 10 years. Chamber president Fulton Grant made the comments as he welcomed a new application for planning permission for the former Ulster Bank building in the town. The bank vacated the Irish Market in 2023 leaving all local branches vacant.
New planning lodged by Cunningham Design & Planning is calling for the demolition of a flat roofed extension to the rear of the building and it's replacement with a fully serviced single storey build. This new construction would be used for commercial, retail or cafe purposes, with the applicants also seeking the change of use of the former financial building to the same. President of Longford Chamber of Commerce, Fulton Grant says the return of the former Ulster Bank building to public use will help revitalise that part of town:
