This article is from page 2 of the 2011-02-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
A LOCAL traders group has said they have serious concerns over a proposed large-scale retail development on the outskirts of Ennis.
Planning permission has been sought by Michael Lynch Ltd for the development of a retail park at five hectares of land at Limerick Road and Tobertascáin.
It is projected that as many as 500 jobs could be created if the project gets the go-ahead.
According to planning consultants DPP (Development Planning Partnership), 300 temporary jobs will be created in construction while with a further 200 full time jobs in retail on completion.
However Gearoid Mannion, Chairman of the O’Connell Street Traders Association, has said there are concerns about the potential impact of the development on business in the town centre.
He explained, “It is a significant worry. It would be bad, not just for O’Connell Street but the town centre. It would be a huge matter for Ennis town centre. We would be very concerned.”
The O’Connell Street Traders Association has written a letter to Ennis Town Council outlining their observations of the proposed development.
Mr Mannion explained, “We are saying that we would be very concerned that it would be detrimental to existing business in the town centre. Such a development is unnecessary in size and scale and is way in excess of what could be considered suitable for a town the size of Ennis.”
Ennis chamber and An Táisce have also written submissions to Ennis Town Council outlining their concern over the project.
Three businesses have closed on O’Connell Street since the start of the year. However Mr Mannion be- lieves Ennis has not been affected as badly as other similar sized towns.
He said, “It is the time of year when it is most likely to happen. I would be hopeful and confident that we have seen the last of the closures.”
He added, “We are still in a slightly better position than other towns. Tralee and Nenagh would be in a significantly worse place than we are. Limerick, even though it is a city, has also been badly hit. That’s very clearly as a result of the success of the Crescent Shopping Centre.”
Noreen Twomey Walsh of the Parnell Street Association said businesses all over Ennis are “feeling the pinch”. She added, “It’s universal, it’s in every town and city. It’s not just Parnell Street, O’Connell Street and Abbey Street, but we’re optimistic that things will start to turn the other way.”
She added, “It’s sad to see shops close down but we’re hoping that things will get better.”