Traders oppose district centre

Traders in Ennis have united to oppose the proposed variation in the Ennis and Environs Development Plan to facilitate a proposed large district centre on the outskirts of town.
The current variation, which is expected be voted on at Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council next month, includes a provision that would support a planning application for a major new retail development of over 7,834 square metres with 610 car parking spaces on the Limerick Road.
Gearóid Mannion, of O’Connell Street traders, warned “Ennis Town Centre was on its knees” and stressed the town council had to do its utmost to protect its retention as a viable shopping area.
Expressing grave concern about the impact of an out-of-town district centre on the town centre, he said this would be too risky because of the expected adverse impact on local traders.
Noreen Walsh, of Parnell Street, traders appealed to the council for its assistance because business was on its last legs in the town centre.
Ms Walsh stressed traders wanted to retain jobs and didn’t want people leaving their county town and county to shop in neighbouring counties.
Noel Tierney, Abbey Street, claimed efforts should be made to attract tour operators and buses because Ennis was only attracting 10% of tourist buses.
Commenting on research completed by London economists, Chamber chief executive officer, Rita McInerney noted for every one job created in an out-of-town large retail development, another 1.5 was lost to the local economy.
Councillor Johnny Flynn claimed the current variation was based on a flawed 2009 Mid-West Regional Retail Strategy because it incorrectly suggested there was overtrading in Ennis and as a result there was capacity available for significant additional retail floorspace  to be constructed in Ennis up to 2016 including town plan period to 2014.
Councillor Flynn said the 2009 Retail Strategy reviewed the one adopted in 2003, which had overestimated population growth, retail expenditure growth and the need for additional retail floorspace.
In 2003, there was 2.5 million square feet of floorspace in the Mid-West, this increased to 5.3 million by 2009, in spite of the economic downturn and the dramatic reduction in passenger flights into Shannon Airport.
“The survey was carried out in February 2008 at time 2,800 were signing on in Ennis area within 12 months it had doubled to 5,600. The size and timing  of survey means that it is not up to date.
“The population growth forecast to 2011 for zone 8 in strategy of 5,474 is nearly four fold actual figure in preliminary 2011census figures showing only 1,414 growth, an overestimate of 4,060,” he said.
He noted the tourist shopping spend for Clare and Ennis were based on 2007 figures and are estimated at €32.4 million per annum for Clare, with €27.9 million tourist retail spend annually in Ennis. However, the tourist industry collapse, loss of Heathrow slots loss and Ryanair withdrawal from Shannon Airport make these forecasts unreliable.
Councillor Paul O’Shea, who confirmed he would be voting against the variation, asked what would be contained in the kiosks outside the proposed shopping centre on the Limerick Road but was unable to get clarification on same.
Councillor Frankie Neylon said he didn’t want a shopping centre on the Limerick Road and wanted to protect the town centre.
Commenting on the Limerick Road site, he said councillors were told by planners this was designated for maximum development and wondered if councillors didn’t make provision for a district centre scheme or a new large foodstore, what would stop a large shopping centre.
“Who objected to the development of Lidl on the Gort Road, two kilometres from town? No one. Who objected to the development of Dunnes Stores before it was built in Ennis? Everyone. At the same meetings, we were told it would close the centre of town. What happened, it built it up.
“If Dunnes Stores wasn’t built we would be looking at the same shops we had 40 years ago. We have to look at the bigger picture. There are plans for a big retail development in Miltown, there is a big shopping centre in Ennistymon, Aldi and Tesco in Kilrush.
“Thousands of people are leaving Clare every week to do their shopping in Limerick and Galway. The planners will decide what is built on the Limerick Road and it may go to An Bord Pleanála who may decide to turn it down again,” Councillor Neylon said.
A number of speakers stressed it was vital to preserve Ennis’ unique character and attraction because of the large number of individual shops compared to bland shopping centres in cities.