This article is from page 15 of the 2011-10-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
PROJECTED figures about consumer spending and population growth in the Ennis area contained in the Mid West Retail Strategy have been described as “cuckoo”.
The criticisms were aired at a meeting organised by Ennis Chamber of Commerce to discuss the proposed variation to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.
Cllr Flynn told the meeting that the Mid West Retail Strategy, which is to be adopted under the proposed variation, had “seriously overestimated” spending levels, the impact of internet shopping and the amount of retail floor space required in Ennis over the lifetime of the plan.
According to the strategy, Cllr Flynn said, € 33 million was spent by tourists in Clare last year with € 28 million of the total figure being spent in Ennis.
Describing the figures as “absolute rubbish”, Cllr Flynn said the strategy did not take into account the impact of the economic downturn on busi- nesses in Ennis.
“They are absolute cuckoo figures on population and spend,” the Ennis town councillor added.
He said the Mid West Regional Authority, the body that drew up the strategy, had based their assumptions on 75 phone interviews.
He said the catchment area for Ennis businesses had been estimated at 53,000 people. Cllr Flynn said the strategy had been drawn up to save Limerick City.
He explained, “The information is based on assumptions and estimates that are flawed.”
Cllr Flynn told the meeting that he had seen an article in a pet industry publication concerning the problems of businesses in Ennis. “Even the dogs in the street know,” he added.
Businessman Peter Moylan (Ennis Cash Company) said there had been a steep decline in the number of tourists visiting Ennis over the past three years.
Cllr Pat Daly (FF) said Ennis town centre is “decaying”, adding that parking is a big issue.