*Leonora Carey (FG) with Johnny Flynn and Lily Carey.
PARKING and pressures on businesses dominate the conversation as Leonora Carey (FG) engages in lengthy discussions.
On Monday evening, O’Connell Street in Ennis is getting dark as Leonora flanked by former Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn and her niece Lily, they are meeting with business owners and those working in retail to get a sense of how the town is faring amidst ongoing public realm works, one of the largest infrastructural projects undertaken in the town.
Lack of parking is cropping up as a big item from those working in retail when sharing the difficulties in enticing people to the town.
Leonora says that there is little to no signage on where to alert visitors to Ennis where to park and she is told by one business man that within the direct environs of the town centre only Abbey Street and Parnell Street are public car parks.
“Everyone wants the best for the town but we’re not all on the same page,” Carey maintained. She felt a mediator was needed to engage Clare County Council, Ennis 2040 DAC with the business community, a call first issued by Cllr Pat Daly (FF) earlier this year. “We need to sit down around a table and listen to each other to find a way forward”.
Ennis needs to maintain its standing as a place for the community but also a spot for weekend breaks to attract people from all over Ireland to visit and stay in, she believed.
“We are open to pedestrianisation but there are consequences,” said one business man while expressing the view that parking spaces taken from O’Connell Street will not return, he also pointed out that 28 spaces have been lost between the Cathedral and Barrack St “at the click of a finger”.
Completed public realm works “will be lovely when it’s done but it’s going on too long,” is the view shared by two female employees at one store. “Parking is a big issue,” they agree. “It is really important to say here (O’Connell Street) is clear and to shop locally for Christmas, we’re a county town,” Carey replied.
She continued, “Post Friday I hope to be a TD and a TD for the town promoting that this is where to come for a weekend break, we’ve brilliant spots and boutiques”. Moves to create more weekday festivals and the use of Central Government funding to a better degree must also be envisaged, she said.
As she shakes hands with two retail workers, Leonora is told “you’re lovely and warm”. Public realm works didn’t impact on this business but they observed “a lull during the All-Ireland when everyone stopped working”. Parking is labelled as “a nightmare”. Carey replies, “how do we promote the whole street is key, there is a reason why Coca Cola keep advertising” while touching on the importance of getting the right message out. “Parking is a challenge but people will keep coming to town if they need to,” the retailer commented.
Meeting traders to see how they are faring is “an important engagement,” Leonora reflected while admitting it took over two hours to get through Abbey Street such was the level of engagement.
November 29th is Black Friday, a massive day for businesses across the county but for Carey it’s polling day and some retail therapy may not be an option.
