An on-line marketplace for trading Irish businesses is already attracting interest from restaurants and food establishments. www.thebusinessshop.ie aims to become the first port of call for anyone who wishes to buy, sell or invest in an Irish business.

Currently businesses for sale on the site include a south-east restaurant with a turnover of €530,000 and a Kerry takeaway. Meanwhile in another part of the site a coffee shop and a hot food takeaway are being sought in the Dublin area.

This is the first venture of its kind in Ireland and it will be invaluable to a range of business interests including those wishing to buy or sell a business and those sourcing franchise opportunities. It will also interest the private equity market as the site listings will attract investors seeking businesses and businesses seeking investment.

www.thebusinessshop.ie will fill a void in the Irish business market. It will considerably reduce the time involved in the first step of sourcing businesses for sale or in placing a business on the market.

The initiative is the brainchild of two Limerick businessmen John Ahern and John Ryan. John Ahern is the founder of Go2mobile, the first company in Ireland to deliver a range of mobile messaging solutions to the corporate sector. John Ryan is the Technical Manager for Go2mobile.

"We aim to make this site a central contact point for business investors and an interactive forum for existing and start-up businesses in many different business sectors", said John Ahern. 'In addition people who wish to open a franchise will have a place to seek out each another and there will be special sections for financial and legal services. It will also be invaluable for those seeking consolidation through acquisition", he said.

The costs of placing a business for sale, seeking a business or franchises varies depending on length of time a business is advertised. The standard rate is €149 per month for a three month listing, with a special rate of €49 per month for small businesses. The amount of information given in relation to any business is at the discretion of the person placing the advert.

There is also a free mobile/text alert service. Anyone registered with the site can be informed immediately if a business matching their requirements comes up for sales or if a buyer matching their requirements logs an interest.

John Ahern (left) and John Ryan founders of www.thebusinessshop.ie, a new on-line marketplace which will become the first port of call for anyone who wishes to buy, sell or invest in an Irish business.