This article is from page 24 of the 2011-02-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
THE “crippling cost” of high rents in Ennis are forcing some businesses to close down, a meeting in the town has heard.
The claim was made by a local businesswoman at a meeting between business representatives and General Election candidates in Ennis last Wednesday.
Debbie Harrington, Co-manager of Little Silvermines jewellers, told the meeting that the high cost of rent was forcing her to close her doors.
Speaking in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ms Harrington said she and her sister had “established the business from scratch” in Ennis 13 years ago.
She explained that a number of factors including commercial rates and a lack of parking spaces had forced the closure of her business.
Ms Harrington added that high rent, which she said was set “at the height of the boom”, had had a “crippling effect” on her business.
Calling for rents to be reduced in Ennis, Ms Harrington added, “Everyone has to start living in the real world now.” A loud and sustained round of applause followed Ms Harrington’s final comment from the over 200 business people in attendance.
The chairman of the Ennis branch of the Irish Taxi Federation, Martin White, told the meeting that 33 taxi drivers had recently lost their jobs in Ennis.
He said taxi operators, hotels and pubs should be “working hand in glove” on a collaborative basis to encourage more tourists into Clare. “Until such time as we get together, we’re gone,” Mr White warned.
Eamon Cagney, owner of the Wine Buff, urged Clare’s politicians to do every thing they can to get a major multi-nationals to set up in Clare.
Ger Murphy of Gerz Place Café called for free parking to apply in Ennis until 12 noon. Ms Murphy said this would give parents more time to spend in town after dropping kids of at school without worrying about the cost of parking.
Tattooist Tadhg Kelly said business owners should be entitled to free parking in Ennis.