This article is from page 10 of the 2011-11-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
A LOCAL business is attempting to address the parking debate in Ennis by covering the one-hour cost of charges for customers.
Staff at Aveda C Spa, a beauty salon based in the Summerhill area of the town, say they are told by customers on a daily basis that it is a struggle to find parking spaces in the town.
Manager Amanda O’Shea decided to cover the cost of parking for one hour by cutting € 1.30 off all treatments and goods. She said, “A lot of people were coming in and asking how long they would be because of the parking. We were hearing it so much that we just decided to do something a little different.”
Ms O’Shea said parking is a particular issue for customers at the weekend. She explained, “People are in such a rush. They want to get in and finished as quick as they can and maybe go to Dunnes and do the shopping. They don’t want to spend the extra 10 to 15 minutes looking for parking…..Parking does seem to be a problem. We’re hearing it so much.”
Ms O’Shea said staff often have to run out during treatments to put a new parking ticket on customers’ cars. She added, “Yeah, if people are delayed, we’re getting their keys and running up and down the road looking for a blue car!”
A report prepared by Town Manager Ger Dollard said a review of car parking in Ennis commenced in autumn 2010 and resulted in the introduction of the 2011 on-street pay-and-display and car park byelaws on March 21.
The report, presented at the October meeting of Ennis Town Council, explained that a 2008 Ennis Car Parking Study had made a number of recommendations.
In the report, Mr Dollard stated that the council had implemented seven short-term measures aimed at improving parking in Ennis, including discouraging long-stay parking within 100m of Abbey Street; re-designation of 39 long-stay spaces in Friars Walk for use as short-stay parking only and reviewing the use of Bindon Street and the extension of two-hour maximum stay zone to Market Place and Friars Walk.
According to the report, “Significant progress has been made on the implementation of the recommendations of the Parking Report. The town council is committed to ongoing review of parking provision, usage and revenue. The introduction of the 2011 byelaws is a step in the process as is engagement with Ennis Chamber and other stakeholders. All practical suggestions to stimulate parking activity will be carefully considered.”