New shops to open at town centre

THREE new businesses are set to open in Shannon Town Centre in the near future, according to manager Pat Kelly.

While the economic climate may remain harsh, it seems there is still some interest in opening premises in Shannon.
“We have three shops opening in the next few weeks. One of them signed a lease just last week and the other two signed recently as well,” said Mr Kelly.
He said that there appears to be a little bit more willingness to spend among local consumers, with evidence that Ireland may be emerging from the recession.
“There seems to be a little bit more confidence, although conditions still are very difficult. Hopefully, people are beginning to spend a little bit more,” he said.
Mr Kelly said that management would be sympathetic and helpful to businesses that are struggling. “We will negotiate with businesses that are in difficulty and we will try to facilitate them. At the moment, we have units that are at very attractive rates.”
The centre has distributed 10,000 leaflets containing vouchers to homes in Shannon, Cratloe, Sixmilebridge and Newmarket, while the leaflets also show the range of businesses on offer there.
“The idea of it is to highlight the variety of outlets that are here and we have put the logos of 60 businesses on it.”
He said that vouchers had been included to give consumers a reason to come to SkyCourt to spend their money. “Times are tough and it’s hard in the retail sector. You have to offer the customer an incentive to come in,” he commented.