Town Centre First

The Town Centre First Policy provides a co-ordinated, whole-of-government policy framework to proactively address the decline in the health of towns across Ireland and support measures to regenerate and revitalise them. The Town Centre First policy aims to create town centres that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community.

Key to Town Centre First are Town Teams comprised of local communities and local businesses who now have the opportunity to reimagine and shape the future of their town/ village.  Each Town Team comprises of representatives of local residents, business people, community/ voluntary groups and other stakeholders who come together with the support of the Local Authority through a dedicated Town Regeneration Officer to develop a plan (Town Centre First Plan) and follow through with the all-important actions to make their area a better place to live, work and visit.

National Town Centre First Office

As part of the Town Centre First Initiative, a National Town Centre First Office, based in the LGMA and led by a National Town Centre First Coordinator has been established. The National Town Centre First Office will drive best practice implementation of policy actions and coordinate engagement with national stakeholders and the local government sector. The office supports and coordinates a network of the Town Regeneration Officers in 26 local authorities, who will bring a coordinated approach to the delivery of Town Centre First across the country and support local town teams.

A website has also been set up which provides details in respect of the overall Town Centre First Policy, as well as details in respect of the individual Town Centre First Plans that have been prepared to date.

Visit the Town Centre First website

Town Centre First - A Policy Approach Document is available below.

Download Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns