A group of Ennis traders fear a reduction in parking will drive customers out of the town.
The businesses in and around the Abbey Street area are calling for a public meeting amid mounting concerns that plans to develop the area under the 2040 plan could be the final nail in the coffin for some of them.
A group of Ennis traders have come together this week, united in their call for a public meeting over the planned redevelopment of the Abbey Street carpark.
The planning application for the project, the first of the Ennis 2040 programme, is due to be lodged in the middle of this year.
If given the go ahead, it would see the parking lot replaced by a large retail and office development, which is expected to generate over 100 permanent jobs when completed, 200 jobs during construction and footfall of 20,000 into the town centre.
But some Ennis traders have growing concerns it could harm opportunities for businesses in the town, with one retailer urging the Ennis 2040 DAC to consider a different location for the development.
Dervla Evans of Ennis Bookshop isn’t against the project, but wants to see the Abbey Street area developed as an amenity area instead.
The original plans included a multi-story car park, but a lack of available public funding has created a stumbling block in this regard.
Plans are in place to develop temporary parking at a site on Francis Street, but a former Ennis Chamber President is adding his voice to calls for a permanent solution to be put in place.
Solicitor William Cahir says inadequate parking is having an impact on business’ ability to hire staff and retain customers.
One pharmacist has likened the current the Abbey Street car park to a roundabout.
Michelle O’Connell of O’Connell’s Pharmacy fears any further reduction in spaces will drive customers out of the town.
Listen to the full audio below
