Is Ennis turning into a ghost town?

poppyvally

Upr Market St now totally deserted. Not a resident there except the Respond flats

Clareboy

What we are seeing in Ennis and in towns all over Ireland is the result of disastrous planning policies that have allowed totally unviable and unsustainable retail developments to be built around the outskirts of our towns. Many of our town centers are now showing the effects of these planning decisions with ongoing dereliction and decay. Basically, we have screwed up big time!

mrsoundie

Clareboy wrote: »

What we are seeing in Ennis and in towns all over Ireland is the result of disastrous planning policies that have allowed totally unviable and unsustainable retail developments to be built around the outskirts of our towns. Many of our town centers are now showing the effects of these planning decisions with ongoing dereliction and decay. Basically, we have screwed up big time!

Dead right. But the funny thing is, they (the council and politicians) are oblivious to this fact and will do nothing to remedy the situation. The decrease in revenue from rates would be the ultimate yard stick for them. I will not be holding my breath for any miracles to halt the decline of Ennis town centre.

Lady Chatterton

Bermay Ladies Clothing in Parnell Street have a closing down sign in their window

It's sad, I know the two ladies since their days in Moran's when they used to fit me for my school uniform

dr.fuzzenstein

mrsoundie wrote: »

Dead right. But the funny thing is, they (the council and politicians) are oblivious to this fact and will do nothing to remedy the situation. The decrease in revenue from rates would be the ultimate yard stick for them. I will not be holding my breath for any miracles to halt the decline of Ennis town centre.

That's not how that works.
Council meeting, next item, rates take is down. Proposed solution? Raise rates, problem solved, meeting over, everyone down to the pub for lunch.

Palmach

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

That's not how that works.
Council meeting, next item, rates take is down. Proposed solution? Raise rates, problem solved, meeting over, everyone down to the pub for lunch.

No they must stay till after midnight to get the extra allowance.

Shapey Fiend

Noticed the Easy Money shop shut down as well. I hadn't made the effort to drop in there yet seemed like a hassle.

finbarrk

Clareboy wrote: »

What we are seeing in Ennis and in towns all over Ireland is the result of disastrous planning policies that have allowed totally unviable and unsustainable retail developments to be built around the outskirts of our towns. Many of our town centers are now showing the effects of these planning decisions with ongoing dereliction and decay. Basically, we have screwed up big time!

Similar happened in the UK about 10 years ago. Poor planning outlook policies.

angelfire9

Where are the large retail developments outside of town?
There's a handful of shops on the Quinn road and Kilrush road but Dunnes and Tesco are pretty much town centre as is Aldi, lidl is outside the town alright but in fairness there's no where near the town centre with a big enough site
World of wonder moved from Parnell street to the Kilrush road because their premises flooded 3 years in a row can hardly blame them for that

What's killing Ennis is not out if town developments its the crazy rents LL's in Ennis are demanding O'Connell street isn't too bad or Abbey street in fairness

ulinbac

Is there any excitement in Ennis (excluding the hurling) anymore?

Was home for 10 days for the match and it was a ghost town during the day and the following weekend after. Remember when Knoxs used to be rammed on a Friday and Sat night. It seems everyone between 22 and 30 are gone.

Met one of my friends who is back from Oz and he said he spent his first 3 weeks in his room really depressed as he didn't know anyone in town anymore. He was lucky to get a job but is saving up to get out of Ireland again! It is a sad state of affairs for what was once a decent enough place to live.

Clareman

People that leave places and come back always find it hard to adjust, I know I did when I moved back from Dublin (long time ago now).

Knox's is still busy, but so it Yolo's, Lucas' and a few other places, I'd say head out and see what's happening, saying that I've noticed that Thursday nights are completely deserted around town now, that used to be a great night in town

Shapey Fiend

Pub activity is down everywhere. I'm in Cork city at the moment and it's not a fraction of what it was 5 years ago. Thing I notice is current generation of under 25s aren't as hell bent on drinking 8 pints 3 nights a week like my age group was. They've found other better and cheaper ways to amuse themselves. Our patterns of socialising revolve more around events, festivals and sport. I still find Ennis pretty lively for a town its size.

I know I wasn't out weekend after the match cos my bank balance has only just recovered.

Lady Chatterton

Shapey Fiend wrote: »

Pub activity is down everywhere. I'm in Cork city at the moment and it's not a fraction of what it was 5 years ago. Thing I notice is current generation of under 25s aren't as hell bent on drinking 8 pints 3 nights a week like my age group was. They've found other better and cheaper ways to amuse themselves. Our patterns of socialising revolve more around events, festivals and sport. I still find Ennis pretty lively for a town its size.

I know I wasn't out weekend after the match cos my bank balance has only just recovered.

I was in Cork last weekend and I thought there was a fantastic buzz in the city. They've a serious amount of cafes and restaurants, I don't know how they all do business.

(Off topic, I seem to remember that you like art Shapey, have you been to the Robert Ballagh exhibit in the Crawford?).

Clareman

Before rumours start, yes I was in Cork last week also, but I was not with MrsD

Lady Chatterton

Clareman wrote: »

Before rumours start, yes I was in Cork last week also, but I was not with MrsD

Don't worry Clareman what happens in Cork stays in Cork






Seriously, for the record I was not with Clareman .

Radio5

MrsD007 wrote: »

Bermay Ladies Clothing in Parnell Street have a closing down sign in their window

It's sad, I know the two ladies since their days in Moran's when they used to fit me for my school uniform

Sad to hear that. Got some lovely things in there since they opened.

Shapey Fiend

Didn't know I'd a reputation as an art lover. I'll certainly give it a look. The Crawford is a beautiful little gallery.

Cork is busy at the weekend, as is Ennis, it can just sometimes seem very quiet Sunday to Thursday. Certainly compared to years ago. Particularly North of the river and up Barack St.

Kess73

MrsD007 wrote: »

Don't worry Clareman what happens in Cork stays in Cork






Seriously, for the record I was not with Clareman .

And to cover myself, although I am in Cork every week, I was not with Clareman either.:D

Lady Chatterton

Kess73 wrote: »

And to cover myself, although I am in Cork every week, I was not with Clareman or Mrs D either.:D

Fixed

poppyvally

Eddie Rocket's on Limerick Rd. gone! Sad for people who've lost jobs

Jhcx

I've meant to add to this thread for a few weeks now. some of you will disagree. I work in a Customer service role so i know the importance of customer interaction. But since returning home from Dublin im shocked by the shop workers of ennis. I went into a shop 2weeks ago and as i say im in customer service role so its drilled into me to be pleasant to everyone. But if i offered a million euros to the person i was dealing with they would have still been miserable. The attitude of some of the employee's ive met ennis is poor its not that hard to put the customer first, even on your off day. No wonder ennis is turning into a ghost town and i dont blame people for shopping outside. I can list of several shops ive been into where ive felt like i should have never walked in the door and it wasnt the first time in the same shop.

Why such the negative attitude to working? Im disappointed because in such tough times we should be doing the best we can to keep our customers. Dont get me wrong there are lots of shops here in ennis where they will bend head over heels to help.

Thats my two cents on Customer Service in ennis

Balagan

poppyvally wrote: »

Eddie Rocket's on Limerick Rd. gone! Sad for people who've lost jobs

Very sad for them. Lovely staff always.

irishbloke77

Balagan wrote: »

Very sad for them. Lovely staff always.

Has it not just changed to another burger joint? Maybe the staff (who were always friendly) got the same job with the new owners.

golfball37

is it not just the same place with a different name? Rockin Joe's as per my latest Dunnes till receipt.

Jhcx

golfball37 wrote: »

is it not just the same place with a different name? Rockin Joe's as per my latest Dunnes till receipt.

Rockin Joes is now gone as well.

Poxyshamrock

That was quick! :eek:

irishbloke77

They are only open a few weeks then I think.

Shapey Fiend

That location never seemed to work. There have been different restaurants opening and closing there since it was built. I'll tell you though what I really miss is the Long Dock!

Seems to me Eddie Rockets should have had signage along the motorway and they would have been kept going with commuters.

poppyvally

Jhcx wrote: »

Thats my two cents on Customer Service in ennis

There's an old saying"If you can't smile, don't become a shopkeeper"