Tag Archives: Ennis Retail

LOCAL county councillors around Ennis this week had numerous calls from business owners upset at the new rateable valuations they had received. “It’s causing an awful lot of stress on businesses and employees in businesses,” said Fine Gael’s Johnny Flynn. “You may recall at the budget meeting last year I voted against the 3.8% increase in the rates for a number of reasons. “One was I believed it was premature until the revaluation was carried out, it was kind of taking advantage before ratepayers were informed how that would impact on them. “Between that increase and the revaluation a lot of ratepayers have contacted me. Also, since this Council was elected I’ve seen the budget to run the Council go from €117 million in 2019, to €128 million in 2020 to €131.5 in 2021 and for this year it was €138.6 million.  It’s a very significant increase and the ratepayers are carrying about a third of that.” He said that …

RETAIL businesses in Ennis will close if new rateable valuations on businesses are implemented, a number of traders in the town have claimed. Last week saw a number of businesses receive letters about future rates bills, which left some of the traders shocked. Barry O’Driscoll of Precious Pets said the bill he is facing is set to increase from €8,000 per annum to €14,500. “When I found out what the formula was I realised, ‘Oh my God, my rates have gone up by 82%. Then I started phoning other retailers and I found they were in the same position, or even worse. We got together then, because quite frankly it is very serious and there will be no shops left if this stands.” He said that if there is no change he will go out of business. “This kicks in on January 1, 2024 and I cannot trade with these catastrophically high rates unless something radical is done.” John O’Connor …

Ennis is in the running to be named as Ireland’s friendliest place. The county capital has been shortlisted as one of the top three finalists for the Retail Excellence Ireland Friendliest Place Award 2016. Ennis was nominated for the award by Clare County Council and joins Navan, County Meath and Gorey, County Wexford, as finalists in the annual nationwide competition. Each county and city council across Ireland was invited to enter their city, town or village in the competition. The participating Ennis stores are Willow Boutique, Patrick Bourke’s Menswear, County Boutique, Seoidín Éile, Maddens Furniture and Rochfords Pharmacy. In early August, retail experts undertook ‘mystery shops’ of the participating Ennis businesses where they judged customer service, store appearance externally, internal layout and staff helpfulness. Individual stores that achieve a combined score of 80% or over will be awarded the Retail Excellence Ireland Mark of Excellence to display. Ireland’s Friendliest Place will be named at the Retail Excellence Ireland Ceremony in …