There was a time when most families who ran businesses lived over the shop.
Now, a Sligo councillor is calling for the introduction of a scheme to encourage a rebirth of the practice.
At the December monthly meeting of Sligo County Council this week, Sinn Fein Councillor Chris MacManus said such a scheme would help urban-centre building owners, allowing them to make effective use of vacant space over commercial outlets.
He added that any scheme in the form of tax relief or grants should stipulated a time period, for example ten years, when converted space using public money would be used to house people who qualify for Housing Assistance Payments or other supports.
