This article is from page 4 of the 2012-01-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
HIGH vacancy rates, distance and a fear that the uniqueness of Ennis will be distorted are among the main reasons highlighted by town centre businesses in their opposition to a proposed retail development.
Michael Lynch Ltd is seeking planning permission to build on a fivehectare site on the Clare Road/Tobertascáin. The application was the subject of a Freedom of Information request from Ennis Town Council.
Businesses in Ennis, many of whom have been strongly opposed to the project, have reiterated their concerns in a number of submissions to the council.
Traders in Parnell Street state that the development would not be in the “town’s best interest”. The submission continues, “While we recognise and welcome competition, it is vital that the current core retail sector in the town be maintained as this is one of Ennis’ unique selling points.
“At present in Parnell Street there are 12 vacant commercial premises in our street,” they state. “We feel if this development were to go ahead, it would compound an already existing problem. We, the business community, are at present struggling to keep our doors open and maintain jobs in these challenging times. We need your support.”
According to the proprietors of Food Heaven in the Market, the proposed development “will significantly detract from the viability of the existing town centre retail area”.
The submission states, “The proposed retail centre is located almost 1km from the town centre and this is too great a distance to encourage pedestrians to visit the town centre on completing their purchases.”
They add, “The level of vacancy rates and under trading in the existing town centre retail sector is at present at crisis levels and can only be exacerbated by this proposal. It seems astonishing that this proposal could be seriously contemplated at a time of unprecedented economic distress locally and nationally.”
In their submission, the O’Connell Street Trader’s association state, “The proposed development would significantly detract from the viability of the existing town centre retail area. There is already an over provision both of convenience and comparison retailing in Ennis at present.”
In their submission, members of the Abbey Street Trader’s Association assert that the development of a large out-of-town retail development would “distort the uniqueness of the town”. They continue, “To allow this development to go ahead is akin to welcoming a factory ship into our waters which essentially will hoover up all forms of business life and decimate the very water it sailed in.”
According to Specsavers, Ennis, “There are at least three other sites which are more suitable for provision for new retail development and which are closer to the town centre and which would bestow some benefit to the town centre.
“We are not opposed to a reasonable level of additional retail space in Ennis but feel the priority should be given to a location which will provide synergy and interaction with the existing town centre.”