This article is from page 22 of the 2013-06-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
A SIGNIFICANT number of visitors would prefer later shopping and earlier entertainment on the streets of Ennis, according to the findings of a new survey.
The survey by the Ennis Purple Flag committee found that 83 per cent of respondents were in favour of late shopping in the town centre.
In February, Ennis became the first Irish town to receive the Purple Flag. The award aims to broaden the ap- peal and improve the standard of nighttime destinations.
A survey was carried out after Ennis received the flag, which was erected at O’Connell Square.
At a meeting on Thursday night, Brian O’Neill, Chairman of Promote Ennis, said the initial results of the survey show a significant interest in both later shopping and earlier entertainment.
The survey was distributed to visitors at three participating accommodation providers, Old Ground Hotel, the Temple Gate Hotel and the Rowan Tree Hostel.
Mr O’Neill, who runs the Rowan Tree Hostel, said, “The outcome of the survey, which was ‘would you be interested in more entertainment and shopping in Ennis in the early evening hours’ showed that over 83 per cent of respondents wanted shopping later or entertainment earlier. I face it on a daily basis with tourists, some of them with young families who are going off to visit places in the early morning. The issue they have is that the majority of them check in at 5 to 6pm. They head uptown and the feedback we’re betting is that when they head up town, the town itself is shutting down.”
He continued, “That is the reality of it from a tourist perspective. It would be fair to say that the majority of the 10,000 people working in an around the town of Ennis, may come into town, or not, because the town is shutting down.”
Mr O’Neill said tourists are also looking for more early evening entertainment in Ennis. “Most of the pub sessions are on at 9.30pm or 10pm and that’s because for publicans that’s when most people are coming out these days. But there are a large amount of visitors to the town who would like to experience earlier evening entertainment. Not necessarily in the pubs, it could be more cultural, alcohol free events in appropriate locations in the town centre but they do want more earlier entertainment.”
He added, “There are about 10,000 people working in and around Ennis. They are probably the most important users of the evening and nighttime economy. This is not just about tourists.”