Ennis 2040 Board Member Calls For Funding For Upkeep Of Businesses Affected By Works

Clare FM

A member of the Ennis 2040 board has proposed putting aside funding for the upkeep of businesses affected by the ongoing public realm works in the county town. It follows previous calls from business owners for a moratorium on commercial rates in order to offset the loss of business caused by the disruption. Although the works to upgrade the streetscape of Ennis Town Centre only began last October, traders, residents and local representatives haven't been shy in expressing their frustration with the pace at which progress is being made. Clare County Council announced in September of last year that it had entered into an €11.5 million two-year contract with Shareridge Limited for the delivery of enhancement works at High Street, Bank Place, O’Connell Square, O’Connell Street, Old Barrack Street and Barrack Square. As per the contract, construction must conclude by next October or penalties could be incurred by the contractor. Following backlash from traders regarding the effect the works are having on their ability to ply their respective trades, Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard has this week called for funding to be set aside, partially out of councillors' General Municipal Allocation, for a paint scheme for affected businesses. A community group known as Retailers of Ennis has previously suggested a moratorium on commercial rates as an alternative way of supporting businesses throughout the construction stage. Councillor Howard says it's not within the gift of the Council to do this, but making funding available to businesses to cover the cost of painting their premises would give them a welcome helping hand. Responding to Councillor Howard's motion, Senior Engineer with Ennis Municipal District Seán Lenihan says he fully supports "the principle of the matter". He's also confirmed that a meeting with Ennis councillors will be held to "discuss the options and make the necessary arrangements" in order the implement the paint scheme. Mention was made over the course of this week's meeting of Ennis's local representatives of an alleged dispute between the Council and the contractor which is slowing down the pace of the works. Seán Lenihan says while turbulence can be encountered over the course of such projects, he's not aware of any such dispute.