This article is from page 4 of the 2008-07-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
TRADERS in Parnell Street have warned of a return to the “bad old days” of derelict buildings if meas- ures aren’t taken to arrest decline in the area.
A delegation representing traders in the area told yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council that declin- ing commercial activity and the loss of parking spaces has resulted in as many as 13 businesses closing in re- Lorna eeKeyels ety
Architechtural consultant Michael
Leahy said businesses were under pressure to survive.
‘This is a major problem for Parnell Street. There are a lot of vacant prop- erties in the area,’ said Mr Leahy.
‘We don’t have to go back too long, just ten years ago, to a time when it was all derelict buildings in Parnell Street. Businesses are finding it very difficult.”
Work on the upper section of the €26 million Ennis flood relief scheme has led to the loss of some 26 spaces in the Parnell Street car park.
Mr Leahy, speaking on behalf of
traders, said privately owned sites such as Western Garages could be used to alleviate the problem.
Fianna Fail councillor Tom Glynn confirmed that around 40 spaces would be available during the sum- mer months for staff working in Par- nell Street, providing a permit system was put in place.
Ennis Town Council has agreed to open 30 parking spaces in Waterpark House on Saturdays.
The council has also allowed per- mit holders in Parnell Street to utilise long-term parking spaces in other
parts of Ennis while work continues in Parnell Street.
Independent councillor Frankie Neylon and Councillor Glynn led calls for the temporary re-location of the taxi rank from Parnell Street to Bindon Street.
‘Taxis could be facilitated in Bind- on Street. I know the executive has some problems with that but those problems, I feel, could be over- come.”
Town clerk and acting town man- ager Eddie Power said re-location would be the wrong option.