THE CLARE Echo has launched its second episode of the Business Chamber podcast in association with Ennis Chamber of Commerce.
Joe Melody welcomes the podcast’s newest guest in episode 2, Allen Flynn, who shares insights into the hospitality industry. Flynn is a member of the family-owned hotel group, the Flynn group, which owns hotels in several locations, including the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis, the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny, and the Park Hotel in Dungarvan.
Speaking on the 2040 project in Ennis, Flynn says, “the one thing about the town is that we need to see progression. We can’t stand alone.”
“The last two years, in terms of what’s going on O’Connell Street, has definitely had a huge impact on business. But, I see the cathedral access has just opened last night… so now you can now drive up Station Road and drive around by the cathedral.”
He believes that this new work is “the first step in the reopening of the public realm works” and explains that his customers love the experience of walking on the streets of Ennis while shopping; “I think people, when they have free movement, they will stop, they will look into windows. They feel better and when people feel better, I do think they spend better.”
Flynn also discusses dealing with 130 years of history, the staff at his hotels, his love for theatre, and the importance of a work/life balance. He admits, “for the first ten years that I was here, I could have taken more time off” and that “It’s probably in the last ten years I learned to relax a little bit more”. Flynn tells, “It is vitally important that you have your own outlets”.
He believes that the future of the Old Ground Hotel is “bright” and that it “will always be an integral part of the town”. “I could sit here and probably name at least 10 to 15 other businesses between Abbey Street and O’Connell Street which are very much family-owned bespoke products. We’re now probably into a second generation of those as well, and then it’s a third generation that would be hopefully joining those kinds of businesses in the future.”
The Business Chamber is a video and audio podcast hosted by Joe Melody available on all of your favourite platforms, including YouTube and Spotify. Episode 2 is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and a video podcast will be available on The Clare Echo YouTube channel.
