This article is from page 22 of the 2013-04-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
KILKEE is badly in need of a radical overhaul if it hopes to face up to the demands of being a 21st century town, a new blueprint being put in place for the next five years has warned.
‘Towards a Better Kilkee – Kilkee Town Improvement and Economic Development Strategy 2013-2020’ that has been put in place by Clare County Council and Kilkee Town Council has highlighted a huge number of infrastructral deficiencies that have contributed to the town’s decline.
These include the quality of tourism provision and the lack of an industrial base on the back of decline in tourism related business and an acceptance of the fact that the town’s only industrial units have reached the end of their lifespan.
“While there is great loyalty and affection for Kilkee among regular visitors, the economic benefit to the town from tourism is declining,” warns the draft report that has been circulated to members of both Kilkee Town Council and Kilrush area county councillors.
“In order to reverse this trend, the reasons for decline need to be addressed. A telling number of rented houses reported unacceptable standards of cleanliness on arrival. The absence of a comprehensive online database of available accommodation for Kilkee also presents difficulty for those wishing to book accommodation.
“The restaurants were praised by many but an equal number found fault with the service. In order for the town to benefit from what are essentially free amenities like the beach and cliff walks, significant improvements need to occur to services available to people who come, or who may be encouraged, to visit Kilkee in order to generate economic return from the town.
“The current lack of provision of adequate convenience shopping floorspace and the absence of petrol supply also impacts on the town’s profile. The town also lacks provision for touring tourists caravans and campers,” the report adds.
In relation to the signature landmark of the Marine Parade Bandstand (below), the draft report warns that its condition “has deteriorated and renewal of many elements is now urgent”. There are now 32 vacant building in the town, among them the industrial units on the Carrigaholt Road that are now deemed to be an eyesore.
“Kilkee has many vacant buildings, residential and commercial,” the report warns. “Buildings or sites in a town which are vacant, under untilised or derelict take from the attractiveness and undermine economic confidence. Vacant premises generally reflect weak economic activity and poor demand for space, unless dealt with they can facilitate further decay in adjacent areas.
The enterprise units have been vacant for many year. The condition of the building fabric and services need to be realistically assessed. A feasibility study of options for viable new used needs to be undertaken as a matter of urgency.
“In the interim the site needs a thorough overhaul as in the current condition it conveys a negative image of Kilkee. The buildings are an important asset, notwithstanding that they are rundown and appear to have reached the end of their lifespan without substantial development,” it adds.