Why is the job situation so poor in Sligo?

Xiney · 18-06-2008 08:42PM #1

As a warning, try to reply to this thread in an analytical, additive way rather than off hand remarks about. Let's have a real discussion here

NO derogatory comments against ANY groups will be tolerated whatsoever. One of your lovely moderators is a foreigner herself (that would be me).

On to the business!

Sligo is, I think, well placed to have jobs, or it should be. It has a well educated work force sourced from the IT especially. It already has some multinationals in town, so nobody would have to pioneer it at this stage. And lastly, I think the population here is crying out for some high quality jobs and companies would get a great response if they moved in.

And yes, I realise that the job situation isn't great all over Ireland at the moment, but it was never really great in Sligo to begin with, was it? Where are the jobs that use the degrees the IT students are earning? Where are the jobs that pay more than minimum wage, or at least don't require you to serve muffins from behind a counter?

What should Sligo politicians be doing? And with the removal of Cancer services from Sligo General, is there any hope at all?

kmart6 · 18-06-2008 08:44PM

Well I just saw a thread showing up on the main page about Argos being turned down again! That can't be helping the situation!

brianthebard · 18-06-2008 08:51PM

the mnc's you refer to are mostly in the primary sector no?the business park is quite old at this stage and in need of renovation imo.sligo is also at the end of the supply chain,rather than a step on the way like longford for example.IT qualification-lolz.also theres been feck all non property investment imo. does that help?

Posted via Mobile Device

gustavo · 18-06-2008 09:34PM

Xiney wrote: »

Where are the jobs that use the degrees the IT students are earning?

I got a degree in Web Development 2 years ago from the IT and no one from my class is currently working in Sligo , There was nothing for us really in Sligo at all after graduation

TequilaMockingBird · 18-06-2008 10:00PM

Its simply too far from an airport. Dublin, Shannon and Cork have excellent transport systems, so the North West will always lose out to those areas for the majority of foreign corporations.

I wouldn't recommend starting your own business either. There are no supports available, but mountains of obstacles. *cough*

DenMan · 18-06-2008 10:09PM

It really is out on it's own, Sligo, isn't it. It definitely needs good investment. Why don't some of the cinemas like UGC and UCI come here? They could easily set up in the retail park. When you think about it that is really where Sligo Rovers should be based. When I was living in Bolton, the Wanderers (Reebok Stadium) were out beside a huge retail park. All the same companies were out there, PC World, Scan, Carpet Right, KFC, Pizza Hut, Curry's, Homebase, Tile Market, Reid etc. They were all there, and on match day was a huge day out for fans. Same should be done here.

Sligo Rovers have the support and it would be great for both home and away fans. A great day out, and plenty of local employment. Problem solved. Also plenty of car parking avilable. Should be seriously looked at.

Xiney · 18-06-2008 10:18PM

More shops aren't really the answer though.

If everyone's working in shops, who's making the money to buy the merchandise?

I suppose what I meant to ask was, why is the career situation so poor here?

Mrs.T · 19-06-2008 07:46AM

sueme wrote: »

Its simply too far from an airport. Dublin, Shannon and Cork have excellent transport systems, so the North West will always lose out to those areas for the majority of foreign corporations.

I wouldn't recommend starting your own business either. There are no supports available, but mountains of obstacles. *cough*

mr tulip here, my firefox is not working so i use this for a mo.

My experience is different, I had lots of support with starting up my business. You get a mentor for free, courses for 30 euro, enterprise allowance, there is a lot off support even from the revenue. Depending on the type of business you start there are grants.

Gillie · 19-06-2008 08:25AM

Tradionally we were a "factory" town where they're was great employment with Abbott, Snea, Sahean media, Bruss and maybe a few others.
Abbott is the only one left outta that list.

Now the problem is that we were very slow to embrace the retail side of things. We were probably the last town of this size to get a decent shopping centre. (Before the Quayside opened 3 or 4 years ago there was no escalator in Sligo).

Now were have the Quayside, Johnson's Court* and Carraroe Retail Park.
(*Johnson's court involved a lot of shops relocating from the town centre to the new building!)

In the other thread "Sligo say NO to Argos again" we see that someone has been granted permission for 4 units up at Carraroe.

Now why the f*ck should anyone be granted this when there are 3 or 4 perfectly good units in Cleveragh Retail Park! It's lunacy!!!
The Chambers job should be ensuring that Units are filled promptly. Why? If ANY industry comes to a town and sees empty Units - why should they decide to set up shop!

Moving on to what we need. Hmm. Hard to see a quick fix.

I do not believe that the infastructure in Sligo is inadequate.
It can be improved certainly but it's a gradual process.
We have a rail service that runs both ways to Dublin 8 times a day!
Flights from Dublin & Manchester to here.
Buses (where the schedule needs improving)
Plenty of greenfield sites ala Finisklin, Cleveragh and Oakfield* where big business can set up (Once they get planning!:rolleyes:)
(*There is an industrial estate planned for Oakfield!)

All in all. Sligo is ready for anyone to come along IMHO! Just Bring It!

JoeyJJ · 19-06-2008 09:40AM

I had a job in IT in Sligo for a few years but had to move on to progress my career and there was no other choice but move to Dublin and now having learnt alot in Dublin there is nothing in the west/northwest of ireland to move back to. There are some roles but either very specialised and advertised a long time or the money isn't good enough.

starbelgrade · 19-06-2008 09:42AM

I'll stick to the 2 areas of employment I know about... construction & pharmaceutical.

As everyone knows, the banks, having allowed everyone to run up massive debts over the past few years, has now pulled the plug on that. The effect of that being that people are unwilling or unable now to invest in properties & developers are finding it very hard to get loans from the banks to finance their developments. And even if they DO have money, they're holding back on putting it into properties as the market is so slow. It's a complete catch 22 situation that's hit Sligo a lot harder than most places. I've never seen things as slow here in the last 4 years. There have been & will be more job losses in the construction industry here (including the professional services like architecture, engineering etc). Meanwhile, there's still vacant jobs in construction in Mayo & Galway.

Abbott is the opposite - there are simply not enough skilled workers in Sligo for their plant. They're constantly advertising vacancies & just can't get the staff. And companies who can't source labour locally often relocate, which would be disasterous for the town if that happened.

That's my tuppence worth.

Gillie · 19-06-2008 09:58AM

starbelgrade wrote: »

Abbott is the opposite - there are simply not enough skilled workers in Sligo for their plant. They're constantly advertising vacancies & just can't get the staff. And companies who can't source labour locally often relocate, which would be disasterous for the town if that happened.

If abbott left Sligo i'm afraid the writing would be on the wall!

DenMan · 19-06-2008 01:42PM

I heard a rumor floating about that Bruss could be closing down next year. That is not good news as they have been here for quite a lot time. Also if Abbot's current pharmaceutical drug on the market does not sell well for them they are considering closing down one of their Sligo plants. Not confirmed but it has been mentioned and may be on the cards. Lets hope not.

Gillie · 19-06-2008 02:16PM

DenMan wrote: »

I heard a rumor floating about that Bruss could be closing down next year. That is not good news as they have been here for quite a lot time. Also if Abbot's current pharmaceutical drug on the market does not sell well for them they are considering closing down one of their Sligo plants. Not confirmed but it has been mentioned and may be on the cards. Lets hope not.

It is. There is a huge development planned for that site.

Not sure if Bruss are moving to another premises though.

starbelgrade · 19-06-2008 02:23PM

Gillie wrote: »

It is. There is a huge development planned for that site.

Not sure if Bruss are moving to another premises though.

I do, but I can't say.

Gillie · 19-06-2008 02:38PM

starbelgrade wrote: »

I do, but I can't say.

WTF?

Xiney · 19-06-2008 03:34PM

starbelgrade wrote: »

Abbott is the opposite - there are simply not enough skilled workers in Sligo for their plant. They're constantly advertising vacancies & just can't get the staff. And companies who can't source labour locally often relocate, which would be disasterous for the town if that happened.

Abbott's aren't getting the staff because they're not recognizing the qualified people they've got available.

I applied for a **** load of graduate positions and I never even got a call back. I've a Biology degree from one of Canada's most prestigious Universities, it's internationally renowned as a leader in Biology and Medical research.

Were I in Canada, I'd be getting at least 30 grand a year working with this degree straight out of college. Probably closer to 32, tbh.

Here, Abbott's didn't give me the time of day and I'm working for minimum wage not using my degree at all.

DenMan · 19-06-2008 03:43PM

That is a very trick situation to me. Is there a revolving door mentality in Abbott's or is it as you said, the qualification. Maybe many people come in and out of there on a very large basis. Surely people with the necessary qualifications (such as yourself Xiney) should be encouraged to work for them, i.e headhunted.

The writing may be on the wall for them if the trend continues. Missing up on the qualified canditates.

Xiney · 19-06-2008 03:46PM

I figure it's their loss, really. Because screw modesty, I'm brilliant

brianthebard · 19-06-2008 04:10PM

i'd say abbotts are still a bit all over the shop after last years takeover.anyways i'm going to galway for an ma in september and when i finish there'll be nothing for me in sligo apart from teaching.i think you were overly optimistic in your first post op!Posted via Mobile Device

Gillie · 19-06-2008 04:31PM

brianthebard wrote: »

i'd say abbotts are still a bit all over the shop after last years takeover.anyways i'm going to galway for an ma in september and when i finish there'll be nothing for me in sligo apart from teaching.i think you were overly optimistic in your first post op!Posted via Mobile Device

Takeover? When? Who?

horsecrap · 19-06-2008 04:36PM

unemployment benefit is around 190 euro a week. nearly 200 for doing nothing? and you have people slaving away on the mim wage.
not rearly an incentive to work now is it?

TequilaMockingBird · 19-06-2008 04:51PM

horsecrap wrote: »

unemployment benefit is around 190 euro a week.

+ Rent allowance
+ Medical Card

Gillie · 19-06-2008 05:04PM

That's it i'm quitting my job!

DenMan · 19-06-2008 05:16PM

It unbelievable isn't? Rent Allowance, that's something else. When I lived in Malta a person had to be a resident of the country for 3 years before they were entitled to state benefits. I remember overhearing a Scottish person talking about it. In Ireland it is very different.

Culchie · 19-06-2008 06:14PM

Now we're merging with my rant a couple of weeks ago about spongers/bar stools etc.... won't go there!

I moved from Dublin from a very well paid job, was sick of Dublin and as many of you said, couldn't find a job opportunity that would match my Dublin salary.
Actually, that's not 100% true, the fact is I got to a stage I don't want to work for anyone else, so I never really looked, even though I'd say opportunities would be pretty limited.
Instead, I've set up my own business about 15 months ago, and paid myself my first cheque after approx 11 months.......your mentality completely changes I'm afraid.

I no longer embrace bank holiday weekends as I used to, or tolerate absenteeism from workers, or surf the internet, or join the gang on the fag break.
When I advertise any vacancy I get alot of responses, so obviously it's an employers market at the moment in Sligo, so this means that 'wages' are not very high in comparison to Dublin, as if X graduate looking for a mortgage wants 35k per annum, and Y graduate of same skill/experience living at home with Mammy is happy with 25k per annum, then I'm afraid from an employer point of view the 25k candidate gets the job. The 10k diffference can buy you a new machine/equipment/a years advertising etc... That's not being 'tight' with wages, it's helping me 'build the business' and hopefully expand and create more jobs.

My number one goal each and every month is to have enough business to pay the wages (mine last, if at all). I'm trying to build a business not bleed the business by paying myself a nice fat salary.

Regarding Sligo or indeed any of the province towns in Ireland .... I'd be pretty worried. I think we're in for 5 or 6 years of pretty desperate times.

TequilaMockingBird · 19-06-2008 06:46PM

Culchie wrote: »

I moved from Dublin from a very well paid job, was sick of Dublin and as many of you said, couldn't find a job opportunity that would match my Dublin salary.
Actually, that's not 100% true, the fact is I got to a stage I don't want to work for anyone else, so I never really looked, even though I'd say opportunities would be pretty limited.
Instead, I've set up my own business about 15 months ago, and paid myself my first cheque after approx 11 months.......your mentality completely changes I'm afraid.

I no longer embrace bank holiday weekends as I used to, or tolerate absenteeism from workers, or surf the internet, or join the gang on the fag break.
When I advertise any vacancy I get alot of responses, so obviously it's an employers market at the moment in Sligo, so this means that 'wages' are not very high in comparison to Dublin, as if X graduate looking for a mortgage wants 35k per annum, and Y graduate of same skill/experience living at home with Mammy is happy with 25k per annum, then I'm afraid from an employer point of view the 25k candidate gets the job. The 10k diffference can buy you a new machine/equipment/a years advertising etc... That's not being 'tight' with wages, it's helping me 'build the business' and hopefully expand and create more jobs.

My number one goal each and every month is to have enough business to pay the wages (mine last, if at all). I'm trying to build a business not bleed the business by paying myself a nice fat salary.

Regarding Sligo or indeed any of the province towns in Ireland .... I'd be pretty worried. I think we're in for 5 or 6 years of pretty desperate times.

The very best of luck with it Culchie. I know how it feels. I lolled at your Bank Holiday reference, its mad how your perception of them changes. You lose a days sales, still have to pay staff a full days wages, aswell as the rent etc. It becomes an outrageous idea! I hated them.

They say if you make through the first two years alive, you've got a fighting chance. I made it to 23 months.

You live and learn.

Madge · 19-06-2008 07:17PM

Xiney wrote: »

Sligo is, I think, well placed to have jobs, or it should be. It has a well educated work force sourced from the IT especially. It already has some multinationals in town, so nobody would have to pioneer it at this stage. And lastly, I think the population here is crying out for some high quality jobs and companies would get a great response if they moved in.

And yes, I realise that the job situation isn't great all over Ireland at the moment, but it was never really great in Sligo to begin with, was it? Where are the jobs that use the degrees the IT students are earning? Where are the jobs that pay more than minimum wage, or at least don't require you to serve muffins from behind a counter?

You said it! The town just doesn't have the pull for the big companies because of reasons others have said like infrastructure, transport etc.
But IMO, the sector that is thriving in the economy in the last few years and has propelled our celtic tiger is the financial services sector and it still is very important in Ireland's growth. But there's no big financial companies or firms in Sligo, only little mickey mouse places that have crusty backward owners who see qualifications as nowt much and only value 20 yrs experience and can't be @rsed training people in. Can you tell I'm speaking from experience?!

Culchie · 19-06-2008 08:10PM

Madge wrote: »

You said it! The town just doesn't have the pull for the big companies because of reasons others have said like infrastructure, transport etc.
But IMO, the sector that is thriving in the economy in the last few years and has propelled our celtic tiger is the financial services sector and it still is very important in Ireland's growth. But there's no big financial companies or firms in Sligo, only little mickey mouse places that have crusty backward owners who see qualifications as nowt much and only value 20 yrs experience and can't be @rsed training people in. Can you tell I'm speaking from experience?!

The thing is Financial Service sectors shares same knowledge pool/staff/suppliers/customers/information/buildings/cleaning staff etc.... so Sligo is never going to compete with the IFSC/Dublin 4 brigade, non runner straight from the off. Neither can Nenagh, Castlebar, Wexford or Lonford....so it shouldn't even bother trying to hang it's hat on that.

However you are right in one respect, there is a dirth of 20/30 somethings who can take on the crustys on Tax advice/marketing experience/legal advice......but where are they? Surely one of the arts of setting up business is to identify the niche in the first place? The SME sector badly needs some help in this area.

Sligo business is too biased to 'high street retailing' ... too many shops, not enough customers......or tourists to bolster the footfall. Every second shop has a 'beauty salon' above it. These people access low (by comparison) mortgages in time, low value financial products (low rate of take up of pension/investment products/share investing) ....and so little need for 'high quality' financial advice .....so it's a vicious circle.

It all points to the low paid jobs this thread talks about.

If you want a high paid job in Sligo, you need to set yourself up as a 'niche' .... offer something that is different and market yourself as best you can.

DenMan · 19-06-2008 08:23PM

Hi Madge

Sligo is a developing town in many ways. A lot of good progress has been made over the past five years. However you are right, there is still an awful long way to go. It is a Gateway Town and unfortunately that is the way a lot of people see it. It needs a good investment to compliment the graduates and people with extensive experience wanting to live and work here. Let's hope so!! I'm not from here but will be returning to college in the Sligo IT in Sept. Let's hope for a good next five years...I hope...:)

Madge · 19-06-2008 08:39PM

Culchie wrote: »

The thing is Financial Service sectors shares same knowledge pool/staff/suppliers/customers/information/buildings/cleaning staff etc.... so Sligo is never going to compete with the IFSC/Dublin 4 brigade, non runner straight from the off. Neither can Nenagh, Castlebar, Wexford or Lonford....so it shouldn't even bother trying to hang it's hat on that.

Obviously, a centre the magnitude of the IFSC is rather palatial for Sligo

what I was getting at in my previous post was the fact that there is a severe lack of well established big name firms specialising in the financial sector and willing to recruit and train grads. I suppose Stephen Street is our equivilent to the IFSC?! and IMO there's slim pickings there

Culchie wrote: »

However you are right in one respect, there is a dirth of 20/30 somethings who can take on the crustys on Tax advice/marketing experience/legal advice......but where are they?

Right here!

Culchie wrote: »

Sligo business is too biased to 'high street retailing' ... too many shops, not enough customers......or tourists to bolster the footfall. Every second shop has a 'beauty salon' above it.

Completely agree with you. What is with all those beauty salons anyway? Only responsible for all those tangoed young girls I see. Another thing Sligo has a lot of is pharmacies, there's 2 on nearly every street!

Culchie wrote: »

These people access low (by comparison) mortgages in time, low value financial products (low rate of take up of pension/investment products/share investing) ....and so little need for 'high quality' financial advice .....so it's a vicious circle.

Are you trying to say Sligo is chav city where no-one has any interest in their finances? Sorry but thats BS.

Gillie · 19-06-2008 09:49PM

DenMan wrote: »

It unbelievable isn't? Rent Allowance, that's something else. When I lived in Malta a person had to be a resident of the country for 3 years before they were entitled to state benefits. I remember overhearing a Scottish person talking about it. In Ireland it is very different.

You lived in Malta???
Oh you Lucky B@stard! I LOVE Malta!
Been there about 5 or 6 times!

DenMan · 19-06-2008 09:57PM

Gillie wrote: »

You lived in Malta???
Oh you Lucky B@stard! I LOVE Malta!
Been there about 5 or 6 times!

Hi Gillie

Yep I lived there and made a lot of great friends and contacts. (Which is very handy as I want to pursue a career in Film/TV) I worked as an assistant to a film director over there. When I moved out first I lived in Marsaskala (south of the island) then I moved up north to Qawra (near Bugibba, Paceville and St Paul's Bay). It's a toss between there or maybe Dubai as to where I will spend my summers working.

Gillie · 19-06-2008 09:59PM

Ah Paceville! What a spot!
Spent most of my hols in around St. Julians and loved Valleta!

Sorry for going OT!

peasant · 19-06-2008 10:07PM

Sligo was never hit by the "celtic tiger" and started shedding jobs long before this happened in other areas.

Sligo used to be to the toolmaking capital of Ireland, yet even six years ago when I was looking for a job in that area and the celtic tiger was still roaring elswhere, Sligo was slowly bleeding jobs and companies. Now there's virtually nothing left in that area. Most of the "cheap labour" type factories have packed it in as well, manufacturing in Sligo is pretty much dead.

The artificial building boom has made things look a bit better (nice new shopping centres and hotels around) but underneath it all there isn't much substance other than Abbot. All of the lovely new industrial units that were built, most of them are languishing away at half capacity or empty even.

As someone said before, retail isn't the answer either ...someone has to earn the money that is supposed to be spent in all those shops.

Now that cheap credit is disappearing and the so called "equity" that people thought they had in their house is melting away, things aren't exactly looking rosy for Sligo.

I predict a good few empty commercial units with bumbleweeds blowing through them for the future ...as well as some half empty ghost towns in all those new housing developments that shot up recently.

DenMan · 19-06-2008 10:20PM

Gillie wrote: »

Ah Paceville! What a spot!
Spent most of my hols in around St. Julians and loved Valleta!

Sorry for going OT!

No probs

24 hour vodka bars, you can't go wrong there. You could spend your hols alone in Paceville. What a place. I want to go back!!! I miss it.

DenMan · 19-06-2008 10:26PM

peasant wrote: »

Sligo was never hit by the "celtic tiger" and started shedding jobs long before this happened in other areas.

Sligo used to be to the toolmaking capital of Ireland, yet even six years ago when I was looking for a job in that area and the celtic tiger was still roaring elswhere, Sligo was slowly bleeding jobs and companies. Now there's virtually nothing left in that area. Most of the "cheap labour" type factories have packed it in as well, manufacturing in Sligo is pretty much dead.

The artificial building boom has made things look a bit better (nice new shopping centres and hotels around) but underneath it all there isn't much substance other than Abbot. All of the lovely new industrial units that were built, most of them are languishing away at half capacity or empty even.

As someone said before, retail isn't the answer either ...someone has to earn the money that is supposed to be spent in all those shops.

Now that cheap credit is disappearing and the so called "equity" that people thought they had in their house is melting away, things aren't exactly looking rosy for Sligo.

I predict a good few empty commercial units with bumbleweeds blowing through them for the future ...as well as some half empty ghost towns in all those new housing developments that shot up recently.

Hey there

Your right, it's not looking good, is it? It's a real shame. Unfortunately I don't have the Delorean at the moment as Marty has it. I can't go back in time and change things. Hopefully things will improve. Or I am I an eternal optimist?

Xiney · 19-06-2008 10:58PM

Peasant - I'm relatively new to Sligo (and Ireland) so I don't know much about how it was. Thanks for that post, informative

elshambo · 19-06-2008 11:23PM

Xiney wrote: »

Peasant - I'm relatively new to Sligo (and Ireland) so I don't know much about how it was. Thanks for that post, informative

Xiney have you ever seen "Boys from the black stuff"?
it was a basic training show for how to live in Sligo in the 80's early 90's and i think it will be again soon

Uve lived hear for a few years but only now can we say welcome to sligo (the real one im afraid)

on the bright side, if there is one, it is true what the bitter auld fellas around the town say, it was much more fun when everyone was skint and not worried about getting a new kitchen every 2 years

Gillie · 20-06-2008 08:34AM

In all fairness, and just for some perspective, things are better now in Sligo than they were 5, 10 and 20 years ago.

Anyone disagree with that?

Culchie · 20-06-2008 09:46AM

Gillie wrote: »

In all fairness, and just for some perspective, things are better now in Sligo than they were 5, 10 and 20 years ago.

Anyone disagree with that?

I think we were at the top of a hill (construction based) 18 months ago. Construction Industry & Wages, property deals was funding basically everything including legal transactions, advertising, petrol station delis, Friday night and mid week beers and Mortgages and Loans, including non asset loans, credit cards etc.... ..... so if all this construction income is gone (or going) and the loans remain, and the asset to loan value ratio has increased due to falling property/land prices ...... then the question about us being 'better off' is open to debate.

Sorry for being so glum on the general picture of the local economy (it doesn't match my personal vision of things), but I just see alot of pain over the next 3 years or so, because so much of it was paper thin to start with. Apprentice Blocklayers were 'Building Contractors' with 12 staff and 7 vans on the road within 18 months of starting work....same with Electricians and Plasterers etc....
In the last 3 weeks, I've been asked by 6 people I personally know (all in the construction industry) ... "Is there anything going at your place?" .... or "If you need another pair of hands, give me a shout"

I just can't see where the or when the 'bounce' back will come from. Young people require access to mortgages to be able to buy houses....
Business requires economic confidence to flourish.....it's not there at the moment.

I genuinely hope I'm wrong ..... time will tell.

Gillie · 20-06-2008 10:20AM

Culchie wrote: »

I think we were at the top of a hill (construction based) 18 months ago. Construction Industry & Wages, property deals was funding basically everything including legal transactions, advertising, petrol station delis, Friday night and mid week beers and Mortgages and Loans, including non asset loans, credit cards etc.... ..... so if all this construction income is gone (or going) and the loans remain, and the asset to loan value ratio has increased due to falling property/land prices ...... then the question about us being 'better off' is open to debate.

Sorry for being so glum on the general picture of the local economy (it doesn't match my personal vision of things), but I just see alot of pain over the next 3 years or so, because so much of it was paper thin to start with. Apprentice Blocklayers were 'Building Contractors' with 12 staff and 7 vans on the road within 18 months of starting work....same with Electricians and Plasterers etc....
In the last 3 weeks, I've been asked by 6 people I personally know (all in the construction industry) ... "Is there anything going at your place?" .... or "If you need another pair of hands, give me a shout"

I just can't see where the or when the 'bounce' back will come from. Young people require access to mortgages to be able to buy houses....
Business requires economic confidence to flourish.....it's not there at the moment.

I genuinely hope I'm wrong ..... time will tell.

Agreed but that scenario is country wide!?!
Not specific to Sligo

peasant · 20-06-2008 10:37AM

Gillie wrote: »

Agreed but that scenario is country wide!?!
Not specific to Sligo

Except that Sligo used to have a fair few jobs in manufacturing that went while all this was going on and weren't really replaced with anything of great substance.

Now there is very little left to fall back on.

My personal indicator for the future development will be the deli counters around town. First thing to go will be the smoothie bars, followed by the 20 different varieties of coffe and soon we will be back to "hang sangwiches" with dried, sticky up corners ...no more baps, pittas and paninis.

Gillie · 20-06-2008 10:45AM

peasant wrote: »

Except that Sligo used to have a fair few jobs in manufacturing that went while all this was going on and weren't really replaced with anything of great substance.

Now there is very little left to fall back on.

My personal indicator for the future development will be the deli counters around town. First thing to go will be the smoothie bars, followed by the 20 different varieties of coffe and soon we will be back to "hang sangwiches" with dried, sticky up corners ...no more baps, pittas and paninis.

Jesus Peasant! I might aswell just do myself in now!:eek::)
Forgive me if I have just a wee bit more optimism that you on this one!

I gauge it as follows! When I was a kid things were quite tough!

Now I have a daughter and things are a lot better for her than they were for me!

People give out hell about how tough times while they are while watching Sky on their 2nd or 3rd telly in their house while looking out at the rain hitting their patio heater and cursing themselves for not putting the cover on their bbq coz they left it in their wifes/husbands/partners car.

Xiney · 20-06-2008 11:29AM

LoL Gillie

Still, I think that a lot of people have forgotten how to live within their means, or to examine their means when they change and change how they live.

brianthebard · 20-06-2008 12:46PM

Gillie wrote: »

In all fairness, and just for some perspective, things are better now in Sligo than they were 5, 10 and 20 years ago.

Anyone disagree with that?

I think we will know in a year or two. If buildings like the apartment block on Pearse, the thing beside the 4 lights, the units at carraroe, and all the shops that closed and moved to Johnson's court are filled and in use then Sligo will have survived, otherwise its going to be a museum piece to a time when developers threw up second rate buildings and hoped people would take the bait.

Gillie · 20-06-2008 01:28PM

I agree Brian but I think that planning and foresight is the real issue.
These things are being built without proper consideration about demand.

I really hope they are not empty!

brianthebard · 20-06-2008 01:30PM

Yeah very true. Some idiot built a shopping centre thingy at the end of coolaney, apartments at the back etc, must be finished since before Christmas I think, but there's no businesses in it. I really jsut want to blow it up...oh wait that's illegal, never mind!

DenMan · 20-06-2008 03:08PM

Not much development over the years and then it finally happened it was haphazardly done and badly rushed. They should have looked at ways to bring people into Sligo first before setting up buildings. Population increases in the West, people's trends and convenience of location are some options that should have been considered before planning went ahead. No forward thinking and long term goals were set out. After years of no investment things are not looking good for the immediate future. I have to wonder why there is a pharmacy nearly on every second building on every street corner here. Is there an epidemic? Are people really that sick?

Planning starts from the ouside and then draws in the town and surrounding areas not the other way around. When people go to the retail parks and do their shopping they would like to visit the town and enjoy their stay. There are cafe bars, restaurants, art galleries etc but where is the convenience for spending the day here. Where are the parking facilities? Shouldn't they be reasonably close not out of the way. Where are the transport facilities, ease of access?

How come Bus Eireann only have one route out to the retail park during the week, on a Saturday? There should be daily runs back and forth. People should be able to leave their car in the retail park and be able to travel intro the town on bus and spend some time there before heading back. I spoke to Bus Eireann about this and they didn't give me a proper answer.

I hope I am wrong but I don't think so. I am hopeful for the future though as I will be here for the next 4-5 years.

il gatto · 25-06-2008 03:02AM

Was posting a letter yesterday at the sorting office (not used as such. Waste of money). I noticed three units across the road were all vacant. Tractec, Platter and Darnet. Peripheral towns got the trickle down last and will usually get hit first when things start going wrong.
I think the lead on from that is jobs have dried up before people have the recession drilled into them. Leaves people looking around scratching their heads as to why there are no jobs (Xiney).
As far as an educated workforce goes, bear in mind, the I.T. pumps out about 1,000 "qualified" students a year. Supply far, far outweighs demand. For the several hundred students with degrees and diplomas in engineering, business and whatever or science and whatever, the north west, where most of the students originate, cannot provide them with jobs, especially of the level they expect.
Also, Sligo unlike other towns of similar size and location in Ireland, has no tourists. Or so little as to make no difference. Tourism is a massive employer in places like Kilkenny, Killarney, Tralee, Westport, Galway etc. Sligo is marketed badly, and anyway is grubby and badly planned. Week nights in the towns I've mentioned would put Sligo's Saturday night to shame. People see a dozen people with backpacks and look twice in Sligo. Other places are heaving with them. Sligo has the big city attitude problem and the small town mentality.

Gillie · 25-06-2008 07:28AM

il gatto wrote: »

Was posting a letter yesterday at the sorting office (not used as such. Waste of money). I noticed three units across the road were all vacant. Tractec, Platter and Darnet. Peripheral towns got the trickle down last and will usually get hit first when things start going wrong.
I think the lead on from that is jobs have dried up before people have the recession drilled into them. Leaves people looking around scratching their heads as to why there are no jobs (Xiney).
As far as an educated workforce goes, bear in mind, the I.T. pumps out about 1,000 "qualified" students a year. Supply far, far outweighs demand. For the several hundred students with degrees and diplomas in engineering, business and whatever or science and whatever, the north west, where most of the students originate, cannot provide them with jobs, especially of the level they expect.
Also, Sligo unlike other towns of similar size and location in Ireland, has no tourists. Or so little as to make no difference. Tourism is a massive employer in places like Kilkenny, Killarney, Tralee, Westport, Galway etc. Sligo is marketed badly, and anyway is grubby and badly planned. Week nights in the towns I've mentioned would put Sligo's Saturday night to shame. People see a dozen people with backpacks and look twice in Sligo. Other places are heaving with them. Sligo has the big city attitude problem and the small town mentality.

Agree with most of this.

Even though certain aspects the town itself are disappointing, the amount of Beaches, Woods, Trails etc. should be highlighted. If your looking for an outdoor holiday Sligo is perfect:
Beaches
Hikes
Horseriding
Golf
Fishing
Surfing
etc.

We need to put this info out there!!!

Why is the job situation so poor in Sligo?

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