A new initiative in Galway, called 'Space Invaders', has been launched as a project to fill empty units in the city centre and promote the arts with exhibitions, performance space and workshops.

The Eyre Square Shopping Centre has been the first to embrace the idea with its management recognising that it helps to give the sense that empty units are being occupied.

The owners of empty units don't have to pay commercial rates so they would prefer to leave them empty than rent them out at low rents.

-- Advertisement --

But Galway is full of arts groups as the local paper the Connacht Sentinel reported this week with local Councillor Niall McNelis, one of the people behind the concept commenting: "I am thrilled that it is taking off. It shows how important we think the arts are to the city. It is what makes Galway different and we should nurture the arts as much as possible.

"A number of the arts groups that have received funding from the Council will also be involved in Space Invaders.

"The units remain for lease, the artist displays their art forms at the shop window and it makes the area brighter. It remains rate free while the unit is empty and is being used as an exhibition space.

"The owner of the property gets clean windows, a shop front that is looked after and the unit is promoted at the same time. Everyone's happy," Cllr McNelis told the popular Galway newspaper.

(BMcC/GK)