Stores Closing in Sligo **mod warning post #720**

another question

sligoface wrote: »

I agree with you on both counts, they didn't stock the place well at all, they had all that Indian stuff in there which made little sense when there was an ethnic shop at the end of abbey street already. Plus you have centra and three supermarkets nearby as well, so no big surprise but unfortunate all the same.

Does anyone think the town will recover? When so many things have closed, people won't come here from out of town to shop due to lack of selection, and the people who used to work in those now closed businesses, who lived locally, they no longer have extra money to spend in the remaining businesses , and if they can afford to will probably leave to get work elsewhere. When I first moved to Sligo in 2006 it seemed to be growing, there was a bit of a buzz about the place, now it's dying and it looks pathetic with all the empty units. I don't want to leave it but I am finding it harder to stay, because when you think about it, the future for the town looks bleaker all the time. I know this is happening all over the country but it just seems to be no end to it heree with stuff closing down and people losing their jobs.

This might sound stupid but there is not an awful lot left to close on O'Connell Street especially. The likes of family owned businesses such as Moffitts, Mullaney's, Wherleys, Brodricks, Easons, The Liber etc aren't going to be going anywhere. Boots, Tesco and Penney's all have good standings. Awear wasn't a big shock to me and I might be a bit worried about Gerry McGuires but apart from that what else is there to close really?

qapmoc

another question wrote: »

This might sound stupid but there is not an awful lot left to close on O'Connell Street especially.

I was in Sligo before Christmas and was amazed to see both McDonalds restaurant and Burgerking gone from the town. They were both on O'Connell st four or five years ago as far as I remember. I wonder was it high rates or the lack of car parking space which drove them from the town? Shame really to see so many empty shops/ premises in the town now. It cannot even really be called a city. If you went in to town with the kids for something to eat in McDonalds you may stay to browse among other shops.

Car parking is another thing which needs attention in Sligo. In december anyway it was very difficult to come in off the inner relief road and find a space. There should be more car parking spaces. And cheaper spaces too. 1.20 an hour is ridiculous. No wonder the town is dying. Every time I visit, more shops have closed. Very bad planning. Obviously the planners do not want visitors to stop in Sligo. Pass on by.

thebuzz

qapmoc wrote: »

Car parking is another thing which needs attention in Sligo. In december anyway it was very difficult to come in off the inner relief road and find a space. There should be more car parking spaces. And cheaper spaces too. 1.20 an hour is ridiculous. No wonder the town is dying. Every time I visit, more shops have closed. Very bad planning. Obviously the planners do not want visitors to stop in Sligo. Pass on by.

On that, I see recently a new Holborn Street car park just behind McGinley Avenue. €3 per day or I think €1 an hour.

qapmoc

qapmoc wrote: »

I was in Sligo before Christmas and was amazed to see both McDonalds restaurant and Burgerking gone from the town. They were both on O'Connell st four or five years ago as far as I remember. I wonder was it high rates or the lack of car parking space which drove them from the town? Shame really to see so many empty shops/ premises in the town now. It cannot even really be called a city. If you went in to town with the kids for something to eat in McDonalds you may stay to browse among other shops.

Car parking is another thing which needs attention in Sligo. In december anyway it was very difficult to come in off the inner relief road and find a space. There should be more car parking spaces. And cheaper spaces too. 1.20 an hour is ridiculous. No wonder the town is dying. Every time I visit, more shops have closed. Very bad planning. Obviously the planners do not want visitors to stop in Sligo. Pass on by.

Should be renamed Royston Vasey, locals only!

EuskalHerria

Is this news? MAD in Johnston's court closes down.

http://www.sligotoday.ie/details.php?id=29603

EuskalHerria

EuskalHerria wrote: »

Is this news? MAD in Johnston's court closes down.

http://www.sligotoday.ie/details.php?id=29603

It was rubbish anyway, no new releases and a lot of the stock looked second hand. The size of the unit gave the impression of a better store!

sligoface

another question wrote: »

This might sound stupid but there is not an awful lot left to close on O'Connell Street especially. The likes of family owned businesses such as Moffitts, Mullaney's, Wherleys, Brodricks, Easons, The Liber etc aren't going to be going anywhere. Boots, Tesco and Penney's all have good standings. Awear wasn't a big shock to me and I might be a bit worried about Gerry McGuires but apart from that what else is there to close really?

Not sure I get what you mean but I would prefer to live in a town that has some more interesting places than just your bog standard Boots and Pennys, nice to have them when you need them, but I miss the smaller shops like Artisan that offer something different (and quality too). It's sad that the best we can hope for is for shops to not close, that we can't attract any new businesses that will make the town worth coming into.

rocky raccoon

Osta looks closed, refurb maybe?

rocky raccoon

Also, it doesn't look like Bistro Bianconi is re-opening on High St. The signs have been taken down and they have stripped the tiles from the floor.

another question

rocky raccoon wrote: »

Osta looks closed, refurb maybe?

Yes, refurb. Closed for a week.

another question

rocky raccoon wrote: »

Also, it doesn't look like Bistro Bianconi is re-opening on High St. The signs have been taken down and they have stripped the tiles from the floor.

Might be doing a complete overhaul or run into problems re: floor. The new stone oven has been installed in the back so doubt they will change their minds. Does seemed to have slowed down though, will be interesting to see.

Plazaman

another question wrote: »

Might be doing a complete overhaul or run into problems re: floor. The new stone oven has been installed in the back so doubt they will change their minds. Does seemed to have slowed down though, will be interesting to see.

Yeah I agree, there was a guy in a hi-viz in there during the week mixing cement I think plus they took in a truck load of stock there about two weeks ago. Hurry up and openomnomnom......

TheQ47

Plazaman wrote: »

Yeah I agree, there was a guy in a hi-viz in there during the week mixing cement I think plus they took in a truck load of stock there about two weeks ago. Hurry up and openomnomnom......

There's a cardboard sign stuck on the door handles of the restaurant (looks *really* professional :eek:) to say the store is for rent, €120 per week and a mobile phone number. Odd, to say the least.

prodsc

TheQ47 wrote: »

There's a cardboard sign stuck on the door handles of the restaurant (looks *really* professional :eek:) to say the store is for rent, €120 per week and a mobile phone number. Odd, to say the least.

Very odd and stock sitting in the kitchen.............

rocky raccoon

If it was to reopen as Bistro Bianconi why would they have bothered taking down the signage?

Reader1937

rocky raccoon wrote: »

If it was to reopen as Bistro Bianconi why would they have bothered taking down the signage?

Maybe to advertise that they are going to open?

dingding

The mezzanine restaurant in the quayside closed today.

Mint Sauce

I know its been closed a while, but doesn't look like its gonna reopen now.

The Peri Chicken Shop on Mail Coach road has had all its signage removed, and the whole shop front barr the windows painted brown.

johnire

No wonder....the food there was dreadful. Absolute muck.

dingding wrote: »

The mezzanine restaurant in the quayside closed today.

magnumlady

Sligo electrical (formally the Sony Centre) in Johnston Court closed last week.

prodsc

Mint Sauce wrote: »

The Peri Chicken Shop on Mail Coach road has had all its signage removed, and the whole shop front barr the windows painted brown.

Ali's kebab shop opening soon.

another question

prodsc wrote: »

Ali's kebab shop opening soon.

I wonder is that the same person as 'Ali's Car Wash' at West Gardens?

another question

Wallis is closing in July. The lady at the counter told me on Saturday when I went in to buy a gift-card. They are open nearly 17 years apparently.

johnire

Pull and Bear are closing very soon.

deadlybuzzman

The euro shop on O'Connell st has taken its last delivery and will only be selling off existing stock

Kettleson

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

The euro shop on O'Connell st has taken its last delivery and will only be selling off existing stock

Holy sh1t! Really...What's the story? Do these shops sell cheap rubbish and people have now realised and have stopped buying (OK sure some lines are probably better than others?). Or is it competition from other bargain shops? eg: the one in Johnston Court, which always seems busy. Or, in the case of the O'Connell Street shop has the location done for it? I've been in there a few times and it all looks cheap tat. I would even be dubious buying a bar of chocolate or can of coke from such places.

Is the one in Quay Street shopping centre still open?

Or is the absolute nadir of the recession? No one has a euro to spare?

another question

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

The euro shop on O'Connell st has taken its last delivery and will only be selling off existing stock

Ah no! One of very few places in the town centre that sold bottles of Volvic and at €0.50 they were a bargain. I love Volvic water. Tesco only sell the lemon and lime version in single bottles. Shame...

Slideways

another question wrote: »

Ah no! One of very few places in the town centre that sold bottles of Volvic and at €0.50 they were a bargain. I love Volvic water. Tesco only sell the lemon and lime version in single bottles. Shame...

There is a podcast by the BBC called food that makes billions. You should definitely listen to part 1

fillefatale

another question wrote: »

Wallis is closing in July. The lady at the counter told me on Saturday when I went in to buy a gift-card. They are open nearly 17 years apparently.

The whole Wallis chain didn't age very well unfortunately. Very dated interior/style of clothes, they didn't transition to online retail well either. Such a shame to see them go though.

Another 2 empty units on O'Connell St now, this is getting beyond ridiculous.

Bebo stunnah

I wouldn't say the Chamber are batting an eye lid to be honest. Don't they all own their own premises?

You'd have to pay businesses to set up in Sligo town these days!

promethius

grim reading here, doesn't appear to be the population to support quayside, johnsons court and the rest of the town. what's being done to bring in tourist trade, even from the regions? crappy parking offer from 10-12, complete joke. does any of the elected officials even care, yeah right, all prepping to save their own bacon again in the local elections. ask them about this on the doorstep. might be the only time they listen.

rizzodun

promethius wrote: »

grim reading here, doesn't appear to be the population to support quayside, johnsons court and the rest of the town. what's being done to bring in tourist trade, even from the regions? crappy parking offer from 10-12, complete joke. does any of the elected officials even care, yeah right, all prepping to save their own bacon again in the local elections. ask them about this on the doorstep. might be the only time they listen.

Don't know if you've had a read through the thread below, might be worth adding it there.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057163964

sligono1

Well I was Donegal town over the weekend it's only 30 cent and hour to park compared to four times that in sligo,go to carick on Shannon and you can go to tesco woodies etc and park for free.
And this thing of paying for parking on a Sunday a joke.

Kettleson

Politicians listen with one uninterested eye on you, and the other eye frantically searching for the next vote. The only time the eyes work in unison is when facing a pressure group.

another question

Blackrock drapery store on Harmony Hill is closing today.

Vlove

another question wrote: »

Blackrock drapery store on Harmony Hill is closing today.

Awful sad

Mugatuu

sligono1 wrote: »

Well I was Donegal town over the weekend it's only 30 cent and hour to park compared to four times that in sligo,go to carick on Shannon and you can go to tesco woodies etc and park for free.
And this thing of paying for parking on a Sunday a joke.

Ended up getting a €40 parking ticket one Sunday morning as I assumed there was free parking like most other places! To be fair it was my own fault for not checking!

Mint Sauce

Mugatuu wrote: »

Ended up getting a €40 parking ticket one Sunday morning as I assumed there was free parking like most other places! To be fair it was my own fault for not checking!

Have seen a few caught out by that. Previously during the Streets of Sligo 5k. Loads of extra people in town, using the carparks thinking ah its Sunday, and Wardens out as soon as paid parking starts.

Its not really inviting people into town.

rizzodun

Mugatuu wrote: »

Ended up getting a €40 parking ticket one Sunday morning as I assumed there was free parking like most other places! To be fair it was my own fault for not checking!

Managed to talk myself out of a ticket one Sunday for the same reason, if it was advertised when it was brought in I most certainly missed it.

I've heard rumours River Island was closing, it might just be a rumour but rumours like these sure aren't helping with confidence in opening businesses in Sligo town, it's disappointing to walk around town and see so many empty units, not to mention walking into shops and seeing them without any customers, there must be many places to work in town that are completely boring to be in for 8 hours a day.

Mugatuu

Heard a few people say pull and bear is meant to be closing down, the place is always empty when ever I've been in!

another question

Mugatuu wrote: »

Heard a few people say pull and bear is meant to be closing down, the place is always empty when ever I've been in!

Pull & Bear closed down last Sunday.

another question

rizzodun wrote: »

Managed to talk myself out of a ticket one Sunday for the same reason, if it was advertised when it was brought in I most certainly missed it.

I've heard rumours River Island was closing, it might just be a rumour but rumours like these sure aren't helping with confidence in opening businesses in Sligo town, it's disappointing to walk around town and see so many empty units, not to mention walking into shops and seeing them without any customers, there must be many places to work in town that are completely boring to be in for 8 hours a day.

Really hoping River Island is a rumour, I've heard it a couple of times as well but then again it only takes one person to start it.

I do like River Island I must say.

bennyc

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Have seen a few caught out by that. Previously during the Streets of Sligo 5k. Loads of extra people in town, using the carparks thinking ah its Sunday, and Wardens out as soon as paid parking starts.

Its not really inviting people into town.

I have thisarguement with the wife every Sunday we go to town, she never believes me about Sunday parking, even though she got a ticket about a year ago and needs to be reminded before she accepts it.

Mint Sauce

bennyc wrote: »

I have thisarguement with the wife every Sunday we go to town, she never believes me about Sunday parking, even though she got a ticket about a year ago and needs to be reminded before she accepts it.

I always forget if its 12 or 12.30. Went down one sunday to do the shoping, just after 12, thinking I had time to fly in and out before 12.30, and there was the warden, booking cars that had probably not been picked up from saturday night.

Check the sign, paid parking from 12.

rizzodun

Mint Sauce wrote: »

I always forget if its 12 or 12.30. Went down one sunday to do the shoping, just after 12, thinking I had time to fly in and out before 12.30, and there was the warden, booking cars that had probably not been picked up from saturday night.

Check the sign, paid parking from 12.

Another thing that's annoying, people drive in and leave their cars as they've had a few drinks, take a taxi like sensible people, get punished by the wardens for waiting to make sure they're under the limit. I'd say more people would do it of a Saturday night than a Friday as they think they won't get a ticket before collecting it the Sunday morning. If I was on a night out I'd stay off the road until well after 12 to make sure I was under the limit the next day.

Kettleson

rizzodun wrote: »

Another thing that's annoying, people drive in and leave their cars as they've had a few drinks, take a taxi like sensible people, get punished by the wardens for waiting to make sure they're under the limit. I'd say more people would do it of a Saturday night than a Friday as they think they won't get a ticket before collecting it the Sunday morning. If I was on a night out I'd stay off the road until well after 12 to make sure I was under the limit the next day.

Get "punished" by the Wardens? Surely you can't be serious? If in doubt about still being over the limit, buy another parking ticket and go shopping or whatever.

Is this really a common scenario anyway? I'd get a taxi both in and out.

rizzodun

Kettleson wrote: »

Get "punished" by the Wardens? Surely you can't be serious? If in doubt about still being over the limit, buy another parking ticket and go shopping or whatever.

Is this really a common scenario anyway? I'd get a taxi both in and out.

Ah punished might have been dropped in for 'dramatic effect', but I know of plenty who would drive in on a night out, beats relying on a cab if you're planning to meet up with a group, or have a table booked. But I really don't see the point in charging people to park in town on a Sunday, it's dead enough as it is.

sailorfoley

Folks, what's the general consensus as to why shops are closing? Is it a shrinking population? Unemployment? Prices too high? Something else?

Henlars67

sailorfoley wrote: »

Folks, what's the general consensus as to why shops are closing? Is it a shrinking population? Unemployment? Prices too high? Something else?

Rates and Rents are too high I'd imagine.

sailorfoley

I've never understood why landlords don't bring down the rent and that rates get adjusted accordingly. Surely it's more beneficial to have a functioning business rather than an empty premises?