Ennis Traders Call For Urgent Action Amid Public Realm "Disaster"

Clare FM

Clare County Council is being urged to exhaust all avenues to expedite public realm enhancement works in Ennis. It comes amid severe frustration for traders in the town, who claim the phased delivery of the project has been a business disaster. Having commenced in April of 2023, the €11.5M Ennis Public Realm Project has set a long-term goal of increasing footfall and spending in the town through streetscape and public infrastructure enhancements. The works have been scheduled over 8 phases in a bid to minimise disruption to local businesses, however the persistent road closures have been a point of extreme discontent for local traders, who say footfall has dropped dramatically. Vanessa Spencer from Munster Technology Centre in Ennis says her hours have reduced due to the lull in activity and fears the town has lost many customers who cannot be recovered. Local traders have also bemoaned the perceived lack of progress with the works. The High Street phase of the project was scheduled for completion in July, however the road remains closed to vehicular traffic and scaffolding is still on site. In April, Clare County Council had reached an agreement with the contractor Shareridge LTD to recruit a night shift to expedite that section of the works, with the homes it would be complete up to a month ahead of plans. Patrick Bourke from Patrick Bourke Menswear in Ennis insists the delivery of the project has taken for too long and says it must be expedited as businesses have greatly suffered. The latest temporary road closure in place means O'Connell Street will be closed to traffic until December, which Clare County Council says will ensure the streets will be open to shoppers for the busy Christmas period. In a statement to Clare FM, the local authority says that "Major civil and infrastructural works of this nature bring disruption and inconvenience, and this is unfortunately unavoidable." The works are scheduled to be complete by October 2025 and the developments will include a public fountain, elements of an urban garden, public seating and a Café Quarter as well as significant streetscape resurfacing. Head Gelato Maker at Gino's Gelato on O'Connell Street Sam is confident the new-look Ennis will be a major success, but says their business has taken a hit due to ongoing works. The contractor and design team continue to holding fortnightly drop-in meetings, as well as issuing weekly progress update bulletins. However with the clock ticking it remains to be seen if a new solution will be found.