Just like the ghost estates that dot our cities and countryside, many retail units have been vacated since the recession began to sweep the country. Last year a staggering 14% of retail units nationwide were vacant, with no immediate prospect of finding occupants to lease them permanently. The situation is even worse in cities, with 25% of retail units empty in Limerick and 20% in Dublin. With little incentive for potential tenants to rent these properties and landlords caught between a rock and a hard place, these units could be left to mould for the foreseeable future.

However, Popmeup.ie has popped up as a potential solution to the problem. Founded by businessman Joe Prendergast, the website aims to act as a go-between, by finding prospective tenants to rent currently idle properties.
“We just saw so many vacant units lying around and realised there was an opportunity there,” explains Prendergast. “Some of them have been vacant for years. We are looking for people who are creative and innovative. We would be interested in tenants with a good idea, a good business or with something to sell. The beauty of it is that tenants can start off with a short-term lease and see how it goes. If all goes well then they can progress into a long-term lease if they find it suitable.”
On one hand, tenants can test-run business ventures like exhibitions, restaurants or shops. On the other, landlords can drum up activity in their vacant retail units, providing a source of temporary income, while increasing the possibility of attracting permanent tenants.
The modus operandi is straightforward. Prospective tenants can register on Popmeup.ie and indicate the type of property that suits their particular needs. They will then be kept updated on any suitable retail units that come on the market.
Popmeup.ie also allows tenants to promote their business activities in the Pop Up events section, while prizes can be won in a number of Pop Up competitions.
Meanwhile, landlords and property owners can use the website to find prospective tenants. If prospective short-term leases become profitable, then they can use Popmeup.ie to highlight the viability of their property for future tenants.
Two months into the initiative, Popmeup.ie has 10 retail units available.
“The response from landlords has been very patchy so far,” Prendergast says. “Some have been good, some have been bad. Getting to the landlords is the hardest part. When you get to them, they love the idea.”