Letter from Brendan Kieran to Retailers & Business Owners
Posted on : June 6, 2019
Dear Retailers & Business Owners,
On behalf of the Retail Committee of Carrick-on-Shannon Chamber of Commerce I am writing to you to update you on our most recent progress.
With regard to the Public Realm Scheme Part 8 Urban enhancement Project the council are moving forward with the process as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Chamber remains fully engaged with the Council and are meeting on a regular basis to enable full co-operation with the business’ and the scheme so as to work in everyone’s favour. It is important if you have issues regarding the scheme that you engage with the retail committee and only through this forum can you be guaranteed a platform to raise your concerns. In any case the project is moving forward and we have an opportunity as business operators to work together to get the best outcome for everyone. It has been made clear that retailers main concern is parking, and this will be continuously raised by our committee. We are holding a public meeting in The Landmark Hotel on Thursday 13th June at 7.30pm this may be the last opportunity to raise any issues prior to commencement of works. This meeting is open to everyone.
In relation to parking in the town centre it is in the interest of all business owners and operators to ensure that their staff and indeed owners themselves refrain from parking for extended periods of time for any reason in the precious spaces allocated for our customers. The council have provided ample free parking for all staff members and owners to avail of prior to work. It is vital that the business owners and operators support this initiative to send a clear message that parking is available for customers and the town centre is well and truly open for business! With this in mind the Retail Committee has proposed a trial scheme where any vehicles that are considered to be occupying customer car parking spaces for extended periods of time the registration number will be notified to the authorised officers. This is not a penalty but considered a last resort to keep spaces for shoppers which is vital to keep customers in the town centre and the spaces continuously available.
We are proposing an incentive scheme to encourage shoppers in the retail parks to continue shopping in the town centre. This is a huge target market that travels to our town every day and an exciting incentive for the town centre traders. To be part of this and many other new incentives it is important to be a fully paid up member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Leitrim Co Council have recently made available an Occupation of Vacant Commercial Premises Incentive Scheme. This will be available until 31st December 2020. It allows for grants to be paid in relation to relief of rates for qualifying vacant commercial properties and new business. Further details are available to members from the Chamber offices.
We hope to meet and discuss the issues with as many people as possible on Thursday 13th June look forward to seeing you all there!
Brendan Kieran
on behalf of the Retail Committee Carrick Chamber of Commerce.
