This article is from page 18 of the 2008-11-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
PLANS to build a €60 million retail development in Shannon could bring up to 430 jobs with as many as 200 more opening up as spin-offs from the project.
A proposal by Greenband Invest- ments would see 150 jobs created in the building phase, while 250 jobs would be created directly and 200 indirectly from the planned retail warehouse park and centre. The de- velopers are applying to Clare Coun- ty Council to site the park beside the Oakwood Arms Hotel.
The proposal includes the park, which would be an outlet for large household goods, a discount food- store and a neighbourhood centre which would include a convenience shop, hairdressers, chemist and a bookies shop.
If the planning application is suc- cessful, it 1s planned to start build- ing next June. The project will take about 15 months to complete and would open for business in 2010.
It is believed that of the two anchor tenants needed for the warehouse re- tail section, one has secured pending planning permission and discussions have begun with a second.
The development company believes that Shannon is under-serviced in terms of retail for the town’s resident population of 9,000 and the addition-
al 7,000 who work for the companies in the Shannon Free Zone.
The total retail space in Shannon is 3,000 meters squared, in comparison with Ennis, which has twice Shan- non’s population but twelve times it’s retail space. The imbalance makes Shannon a prime location for further development of stores and shops, the developers say.
Already the developers have been in consultation with the county coun- cil to ensure that there is no clash between this proposed development and the existing Shannon Town Mas- ter plan. The park is designed by award-winning architects, Thomp- sons of Limerick.
While the Shannon Town Centre enjoys a variety of supermarkets, large shops and boutique stores, for white goods and other large house- hold items, shoppers have to travel to Ennis, Limerick or further afield.
Statistics also show that more than 23 per cent of all convenience goods bought by Shannon residents are bought outside of the town, while 42 per cent of purchases of goods such as clothing footwear and large items are bought elsewhere.
One of the arguments in favour of the new development., Greenband, says would be to help halt the stream of shoppers who leave the area for large centres in Limerick, Cork and AV IMOrUANe Ne