Rent amnesty sought, German food revolution and the planning morass

Business Today: the best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk

Grafton Street in June. Retailers say they are facing a ‘catastrophe’.
Grafton Street in June. Retailers say they are facing a ‘catastrophe’.

An industry group representing 2,000 retailers will on Wednesday tell TDs and senators that landlords must give shop owners a 50 per cent rent "amnesty" for the first four months of the year, during which the sector was entirely closed due to virus restrictions. Mark Paul has the details.

Germany's farmers, food retailers and environment groups have backed a far-reaching reform plan to end ruinous economic and environmental practices in the country's agrifood sector. Derek Scally reports from Berlin.

Red Flag Consulting, the Dublin-headquartered communications group run by Karl Brophy and chaired by Gavin O'Reilly, has bought one of the oldest trade lobbying firms in Washington DC as it seeks to beef up its US business. Mark Paul reports.

The post-pandemic fortunes of Grafton Street have received another boost with the decision of leading 'athleisure' brand, Lululemon to open a standalone store in the premises occupied formerly by Pamela Scott. Ronald Quinlan reports.

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The first homes to be delivered under the Government's new cost rental tenure model have been launched by housing agency Clúid, writes Eoin Burke-Kennedy.

Irish travel-tech company CarTrawler is to create 50 new jobs as it announced the introduction of a new equity scheme for staff and confirmed plans to make hybrid working permanent. Charlie Taylor reports.

US-headquartered property giant Greystar is closing in on the purchase of 342 homes being developed by Cairn Homes on a site at Griffith Avenue in Marino, Dublin 3, writes Ronald Quinlan.

Ciarán Hancock warns the Government that it should be carefull wha it it wishes for as it looks like the Strategic Housing Developmen planning application system is about to be changed.

The withdrawal of US investor Colony Capitalfrom the Irish property market continues apace, writes Ronald Quinlan, with no less than four sales currently nearing completion or concluded.

The prospect of immediate rental income copper-fastened by the security of a 25-year government lease is understood to have seen strong interest in the sale of Project Haven, a portfolio of approximately 60 social housing units across Dublin's north, south and west suburbs. Ronald Quinlan reports.

Now that the Government has postponed the resumption of indoor dining, the hospitality sector faces an uncertain summer. In this episode of Inside Business, Ciarán talks to Galway restaurateur and owner of the Michelin starred Aniar restaurant, JP McMahon, about what the delay will mean for his business now and into the future. They're joined by The Irish Times business affairs correspondent Mark Paul.

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Conn Ó Midheach

Conn Ó Midheach

Conn O Midheach is Assistant Business Editor - Digital of The Irish Times