*Works on High Street last year.
BUSINESSES in Ennis must be supported when the town reopens following the conclusion of the public realm construction works next month.
Clare County Council have confirmed that the main construction phase of the long-running €11.5m Ennis public realm works will finish on November 26th.
In a proposal before the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) stated, “Now that the Public Realm works are nearing completion in the town. I request that Ennis MD liaise with the Local Enterprise Board, the Chamber of Commerce and other relevant bodies with a view to either supporting the reopening of businesses that have closed or finding replacements”.
Senior engineer, Seán Lenihan outlined that “lots of exciting events” are in the works for the Christmas period in the county town to “entice people of all ages over the festive period to enjoy and support the many fantastic shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes that the town has to offer”.
He said staff within the Ennis MD “are always open and available to assisting existing and new businesses in any way that we can and will continue to do so. While it is accepted that some businesses have unfortunately closed due to various reasons, it is great that a number of new businesses have opened and indeed a number of existing ones have expanded”.
Lenihan has raised the matter with the Local Enterprise Office, “they advise that they are committed to engaging with all stakeholders to assess what support can be provided to facilitate the future growth of Ennis Town Centre and how to promote both Ennis as a destination and how the individual businesses can promote themselves. Moreover, our colleagues in Planning and Property are active in returning vacant and derelict properties to use. Likewise, our Finance colleagues are always available to discuss issues surrounding Commercial Rates and Members will be aware of the various grants and relief that are oftentimes available”.
Ennis Chamber in their engagement with the senior engineer flagged “that many businesses have struggled while the public realm works were being carried out and would welcome support measures and an enhanced marketing and awareness campaign to attract additional footfall to Ennis”.
Cllr Daly commented, “Ennis Town is moving into a new era and it is looking so well but businesses have struggled during the works, some are closing. It is important to set out a strategy”. The aim of securing 100 percent occupancy “of all businesses on the streets throughout the town”, must be set, he maintained.
Seconding the motion, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) stated, “The uniqueness of our town is our small niche shops, our boutiques and our cafes”. He added, “Look at the amount of car spaces in Kildare Village and it is thriving”.
