A new E-hive co-working hub has been developed in Edenderry with support under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD has officially opened the new facility in Edenderry Town Hall.

Offaly County Council identified the need for a co-working space for Edenderry, a rapidly growing town only 35 minutes from the M50, with a large commuting population. The philosophy was to provide a high quality space, enhancing modern supports to enterprise in Edenderry the potential to foster innovation. This unique approach sees a 27 inch monitor at each desk, meeting room facilities, spacious common areas, hi-speed internet access, private booths for calls, a shared kitchen and bicycle racks.

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E-hive aims to offer individuals the opportunity to work from a professional office with flexible options, and so far has been embraced by users such as a software start-up founder, an engineer designing facades, a golf holidays company owner and an auditor from a big four accountancy firm, to mention just a few.

In a recent commuter survey carried out in Edenderry, it was found that while 53% of commuters are "unhappy" or "very unhappy" with having to commute, 42% of commuters have the potential to work at least one day per week from Edenderry. This survey was carried out as part of the Edenderry Masterplan, currently being funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, which aims to regenerate the core of the town. Initial funding of €522k was also recently allocated through the Rural Regeneration and Development fund to commence the regeneration through provision of an infrastructure link to open up the core and back-lands. This regeneration project is anticipated to be transformational for Edenderry, taking in the former Tesco site in the town centre, former grain store site and park-lands.

(CM/JG)