Ennis Municipal District together with Ennis Chamber of Commerce and the Holman Lee Agency launched the Ennis Street Fashion Show which takes on O’Connell Street next Saturday, December 13th.
ENNIS is “a revitalised, attractive and pedestrian friendly town” to shop in this Christmas, county councillors have stressed.
Prior to supporting the decision of Clare County Council to increase commercial rates across the county by eight percent, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) tabled a motion before the Ennis Municipal District stressing the need to “generate extra footfall” and maximise Christmas trade in Ennis.
“With the public realm works nearing completion we have a unique time-sensitive opportunity to launch a revitalised, attractive and pedestrian friendly town image this Christmas,” he stated. Cllr O’Callaghan questioned the Ennis MD on what initiatives were in place “ensuring our many businesses can benefit in the hope to generate extra footfall over the upcoming Christmas Trade”.
Acting senior engineer in the Ennis MD, Paddy Tiernan outlined, “many exciting initiatives are planned to encourage additional footfall in Ennis over the upcoming Christmas period”.
Such items referenced by Tiernan included the demobilisation of public realm contractor from November 25th, the switching on of the Christmas lights, pedestrianisation of O’Connell Street, “extensive promotional and media campaign showcasing Ennis”, additional parking at Council offices, free parking in town centre car parks, street fashion shows, the family orienteering event, the Christmas film in glór, street entertainment and Ennis street radio. “The aim of these initiatives is to boost economic activity within the town during the upcoming festive season,” he said.
Speaking at a sitting of the Ennis MD, Cllr O’Callaghan commented, “I’m so happy for everybody that the public realm works are coming to completion. We have a unique and time sensitive opportunity to launch a pedestrian friendly town centre as Christmas trading begins”.
He continued, “The message is simple, disruption is over and access is better than ever”. The proposed Christmas in Ennis programme was welcomed by the Kildysart native. “I love the incentive of free parking being extended, access is the key to the success of our businesses”.
Ennis 2040’s ongoing review was referenced by Cllr O’Callaghan who added to comments from the previous month on utilising the old Ennis NS as a temporary car park “while we are waiting for an overall plan”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) commented, “the public realm works are beautiful, the whole town is looking beautiful, there are exciting initiatives happening for Christmas”.
Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) praised the work done in the background “for many months” by Council staff to prepare the initiatives. “Last Christmas we saw the bounce that was there, it is up to all of us to promote Christmas in Ennis”.
