€1.3m. sale of portion of former Mayo Volex building approved

THE sale of a portion of the former Volex building in Castlebar for €1.27 million has been approved by Mayo County Council.

The property is being acquired by Ballinrobe-based Dextex Ltd.

Councillors approved the sale of the property, on the Breaffy Road in the county town, at their monthly meeting yesterday (Monday).

However, questions were raised about a previous deal four years ago involving a lease and sale option on a different part of the premises to another company.

Back then members were told 30 jobs would be created, but as Councillor Donna Sheridan pointed out: “I have not seen any 30 jobs.”

The agreement at the time was for a six-year lease, with a option to buy at €570,000.

Clarification was sought by Councillor Peter Flynn. In 2020 they were selling 3,600 sq. m. for €570,000; today's valuation for a site close to half the size was €1.3 million.

It raised questions, he stated, and he asked for a full report on the remaining part of the Volex building.

Councillor Donna Sheridan welcomed the most recent sale, saying it was brilliant to see a new business coming into town.

On the 2020 transaction, they were given prices and a memo which said 30 new jobs would be created over two years, with an investment of €1.2 million in the building.

She hasn't seen any 30 jobs. And she admitted to looking in the windows to see what is going on and there is 'nothing', she stated.

Councillor Sheridan requested a report on the matter, asking was it going to be sold at this value which is far less than what they are selling for today.

Chief executive Kevin Kelly said there is no question of revisiting the Section 183 notice previously agreed by the council.

Works, he said, have been undertaken on the property subject of the 2020 S. 183 notice. There will be further works and he expected there will be additional jobs delivered at the location.