Shops/Businesses opening/closing

zell12

Galway Bay Seafoods in Lower Salthill closing down soon

edit:link inserted

https://twitter.com/ThisIsGalway/status/1595431982959190016?s=20&t=37JXT0aDwzYUXEPdjcV2fA

GerardKeating

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119914707#Comment_119914707

I thought it rebranded a while back ?

serfboard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119914707#Comment_119914707

Sorry to hear that - not living in the area I was only an occassional customer, but they were always very friendly and helpful and it was in a handy location.

lordleitrim

I see the 50% bigger Penneys has opened in Eyre Square SC. Did they do a good job of the upgrade?

topcat77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119917814#Comment_119917814

50% bigger, but not 50% more product. a lot more spaced out. Home, Mens and Children downstairs. Ladies remain on the 1st level.

rustyfrog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119920127#Comment_119920127

Any security checks or snipers to keep women out of the mens section?

Stevolende

Penney's expanding means that there is now siugn of commerical activity down the external side of teh Eyre Square shopping centre along Merchant's Rd..

I thought that a main road so close to the centre of town looking like so much of a backstreet at that point was a bit odd when I took that route. Could be positive that a town is still not over commercialised but I do find it odd that one of teh main roads through the centre of one of the largest towns in the country is still not built up. Would think that a similar location in similar towns would have entrances along it not just access through back doors and car parks etc.l

But don't want every town looking interchangeable or identikit.

EDIT irony that a street called Merchant's Rd isn't commercialised?

Yonce

Not sure if allowed post unconfirmed news here delete if appropriate.

Heard Claregalway hotel closing, Pat mcdonagh purchased it and to be used for those seeking international protection

ben.schlomo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119924435#Comment_119924435

Unsolicited rumours are usually frowned upon but there's no mod these days so what can you do.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119924366#Comment_119924366

There are loads of businesses on Merchants Rd, hard to see how anyone could miss them. Cafes, bar/distillery, clothes alterations, charity shop, professional services to name but a few.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119924550#Comment_119924550

It's one of the higher-rise areas of town too.

Stevolende

Top of the road between Abbeygate street and the square always seemed like walking around behind warehouses until Penney's put up neon or whatever their sign light is along there. I would think a lot of other places would have shop side entrances onto the street. Rest of the road seems to be pretty nondescript apart from a lot of grey walls from experiencing walking it quite frequently to get to the charity shops on it. Seems to be one clumped area of sales from the corner of Abbeygate street down to St Vincent's plus a lot of places that seem to be the backs of places, the library, Hynes Building etc

Seems to be a lot more of a back street or arterial roadway than a welcoming sales point, I can think of one cafe along the length of it and far more along Abbeygate street .

rustyfrog

Seems to be a lot more of a back street or arterial roadway than a welcoming sales point

Yeah I agree. It's a very functional arterial road. Two large multistory car parks (incl ground floors) and two lanes of fast moving or congested traffic make for an unwelcome pedestrian experience. It's also used for parking and loading of tour buses.

Most long-term businesses along there are B2B.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119926680#Comment_119926680

Not to mention the footpaths are brutal

Mrs OBumble

It's called Merchant's Rd, because historically the merchants lived there - the area beside the road was called Merchant's Row.

At one stage it was called Back Street- we still have Middle Street, and front street is now called Shop Street.

In a real sense, it was the city's first ring road, taking traffic out of the centre and around the edges.

I'm not sure its realistic for it to be a welcoming shopping experience: thats the role of William/Shop/High streets. For every main shopping district, there need to be supporting areas which house the niche retailers who don't need or can't afford main street locations.

rustyfrog

Also it falls outside of the old city walls and has non of the old features or charm.

📷 Royal Irish Academy - Irish Historic Towns Atlas, Galway

Stevolende

Ok I should have accentuated the top of the road bit more . That area of what was uninviting wall especially. I would think there would be an official entrance to the Eyre Square centre somewhere there or at least more window. I'm just struck by a large amount of dead wall and the rest of the road doesn't seem much more inviting.

It is probably true that the shops I visit the street for probably wouldn't be there if it was more of a shopping area cos rents would be higher. I just keep seeing taht massive amount of dead wall. I know that there is a mural down between the car park access and the corner. Not sure if one of those would be visible fully further up.

I know there is a large storage space nextto the car park access I saw the Eyre Square Xmas reindeer stored in there earlier in the year. Just wondering why there has never been a street entrance to the Square centre or any of the shops where the downstairs of Penneys is now along there or would that just mean a rented unit less and therefore less money. Is it just that those people coming in from town will come in through Edward Square or Whitehall or from cars by the car park, Merchant's Road being more of a backstreet than a place one would really be coming from per se

It seems that there is a semi dead space from the old AIB backward down to the Victoria Hotel in one direction and the end of Abbeygate Street in another. There are hostels upstairs along part of that. & is there still a French Restaurant between the square and the Victoria Hotel.

But presumably internet sales mean less shops requiring street frontage and rent is going to be a hurdle too

rustyfrog

You can enter the centre on foot through the carpark entrance. The centre needs a functional delivery and storage area at some side.

ben.schlomo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927124#Comment_119927124

Petit Pois closed about 2 years ago.

Also, you're overthinking it. Let it go.

rustyfrog

Blackrock Cottage opened this morning

https://twitter.com/CloHiggins/status/1597323776060186624?t=xS4hIAXXjtNwb7ATn5uNVg&s=19

https://twitter.com/paulspats/status/1597179599196409856?t=TLCRDyPnOTt3z9YP1UFVUg&s=19

https://twitter.com/mauramullarkey/status/1597184145264087040?t=ttG1iHVs7Bb22fArl0r37w&s=19

rustyfrog

More photos and menus on their website. They're aiming at the higher end of the market based on the steep pricing, food sounds tasty though.

https://blackrockcottage.ie/gallery/

Wish them all the best and they'll make a killing, especially in passing trade on fine days

Took a look at the menus and to be honest I wasn't too put off by the prices. Will be a great spot to sit and look out while having a nice bite.

Now, Alainn's "bowls" stuff, on the other hand, over-priced doesn't come close to it.

rustyfrog

Yeah I wouldn't say overpriced if it's quality (everything suggests it is). But at €7 for a soup and €9 for a chowder they might miss out on some of the regular swimmers looking for a quick warm-up. Or it might be a less frequent treat. A cheaper take-away soup cup might do well.

Wishing them all the best, I'm sure it'll be a huge success - looking forward to trying it tomorrow! Passed Blackrock a few times today but didn't realise they had opened.

ben.schlomo

ECCO Shoes opening nextdoor to McCambridges next month.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119933067#Comment_119933067

If you think that pricing is steep, you've not been eating out much lately!

Prices have jumped up everywhere, with power bills and labour shortges.

JohnCleary

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119933146#Comment_119933146

I don't there'll be much of a view from there from what I can make out, with the exception of one glass corner which looks to have 2 x 4 seaters there.

I'll still be visiting!

beardybrewer

The rear patio is raised up so you'll see the heads from several tables there poking up above the kicking wall. I think they're still working on that bit and the bike rental in the rear. Point being, if you're a local, you'll eventually luck out and get a table with a view.

JohnCleary

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119936461#Comment_119936461

I'm more looking forwarding to being there on a stormy night with the wind /rain howling in!

rustyfrog

Heads up that Blackrock Cottage isn't doing the dinner menu until next year, they close at 5pm after lunch.

ben.schlomo

The Lantern being turned into accommodation for Ukrainians, according to a local newspaper. Good to see it won't be back as a pub.

ben.schlomo

Roastery Lane has closed, down beside Park House.

Turkish Barbers gone in beside Aran Ferries office on Forster St.