Longford County Council has officially launched Longford 2040: A Town Centre First Strategy, an ambitious plan that sets out a pathway for the revival and revitalisation of Longford Town.

The latest strategy draws from input gathered through public consultation and the efforts of the Longford Town Team, established in 2023. Comprised of locals and representatives from businesses and community groups, the Town Team has played a pivotal role in shaping this strategy.

This new strategy identifies nine transformational proposals which aim to improve Longford Town for residents, visitors, businesses, and workers. These proposals cover various themes including improving the public realm, plans for Connolly Barracks, tackling vacant buildings and dereliction and improved transport links.

The Town Centre First Strategy for Longford Town was developed by consultants S3 Solutions. Collaborating closely with the Longford Town Team and the Town Regeneration Officer, S3 Solutions conducted extensive public consultations to gather insights that shaped the strategy.

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Longford 2024: A Town Centre First Strategy is informed by the national Town Centre First Policy which considers engagement with local people, businesses, and community organisations to be central to the future development of our towns. This is also aligned to the Governments national Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, which outlines the national vision for regeneration and development of rural towns and villages.

Longford Town Team Chair Cllr Gerry Warnock stated: "On behalf of the Longford Town Team, I welcome the publication of the Longford Town Centre First Strategy. This strategy is the culmination of many months of stakeholder collaboration and public consultation. It is an exciting blueprint for the revival and revitalisation of our county town. This working document has targeted objectives and timelines. I look forward to its ambitious goals being realised over the next number of years."

Longford County Council Town Regeneration Officer Lorraine O’Connor said: "I am delighted today to be part of the launch of the Longford Town Centre First Strategy and credit must go to the Town Team for the way they engaged in the process. The Town Centre First Strategy now sets out a positive vision for the regeneration of Longford Town and I look forward to working with the Town Team to implement the projects identified in the strategy."