This article is from page 7 of the 2005-11-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
ONE of Ennis’ oldest institutions will close its doors for the last time tomorrow.
The ESB Store in Carmody Street closes on Wednesday after over 40 years in business. Since the mid six- ties the store operated as a retail out- let for electrical goods and provided a bill paying service for customers.
Speaking on Monday in an empty store, staff were sad to be saying farewell to the shop.
“I feel sad really as it is the end of an era. It was a good place to work. There was camaraderie among the staff,’ said Marian Barry, who has worked there for over 30 years.
Last March ESB announced that it had sold the retail division of the company to the Bank of Scotland
(Ireland) (BSOI) for €120 million, resulting in the closure of all its out- lets nationwide.
A shrinking market share and in- creased competition from national and international retailers were the reasons given by management.
BSOT have also acquired the ESB’S retail loan book, which means that customers who had deferred pay- ments on electrical appliances can
make their repayments to BSOI while customers can now pay their electrical bills at An Post branches. Under the deal, ESB staff were given the option of working with BSOI.
The store currently employs five people and while some staff mem- bers have decided to avail of the opportunity others will continue to carry on working with the ESB at their offices in Station Road.