Athlone Towncentre granted new anchor

Steven81 · 21-11-2014 9:06pm #1

http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/73796/new-stores-open-as-athlone-towncentre-is-granted-planning-permission-for-new-anchor

In addition to Athlone Towncentre welcoming four new stores this month, it has also been granted planning permission by Westmeath County Council to accommodate a new anchor tenant.

The four new stores include the Calendar Club; Off the Rails, a ladies and gents fashion store; Shoe Lace, specialising in shoes and bags; and Papolion, a shop selling everything from teddies to gifts, and handbags to accessories. The additional new stores have also created employment, with over 10 new full and part-time staff being hired between the four stores.

These additional stores have helped the town to become a firm favourite for shoppers across the Midlands and have created valuable employment in the town.

Along with these new stores planning permission has been granted by Westmeath County Council to allow the shopping centre redevelop shop units.

Permission was granted late last week for developers to amalgamate five units on Levels 00 and 01 at the Gleeson Street entrance to accommodate a new retail anchor unit. This new shop will take up 2,048 sqm floor space over two floors - 1,003 sqm at Level 00 and 1,045 sqm at Level 01.

The development will also see the amalgamation of three further units on Level 01 at the Mardyke Street entrance to accommodate the re-location of an existing retail tenant (438 sqm gross floor area ); minor elevation changes, and ancillary works. No additional retail floor area is proposed as part of this application.

Also included in the planning permission were four conditions which referred to keeping the new construction in line with the original planning permission, the type of shutters to be used and their colour, as well as the types of lighting and signage that could be used.

Planning permission was granted to Paul McCann and Stephen Tennant, receivers of the development.

A spokesperson for Athlone Towncentre said that the name of the new tenant would not be released until all contracts were signed.

2048 square metes would have to be a big store, Debenhams possibly?

TUBBY · 21-11-2014 9:35pm

Steven81 wrote: »

http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/73796/new-stores-open-as-athlone-towncentre-is-granted-planning-permission-for-new-anchor

In addition to Athlone Towncentre welcoming four new stores this month, it has also been granted planning permission by Westmeath County Council to accommodate a new anchor tenant.

The four new stores include the Calendar Club; Off the Rails, a ladies and gents fashion store; Shoe Lace, specialising in shoes and bags; and Papolion, a shop selling everything from teddies to gifts, and handbags to accessories. The additional new stores have also created employment, with over 10 new full and part-time staff being hired between the four stores.

These additional stores have helped the town to become a firm favourite for shoppers across the Midlands and have created valuable employment in the town.

Along with these new stores planning permission has been granted by Westmeath County Council to allow the shopping centre redevelop shop units.

Permission was granted late last week for developers to amalgamate five units on Levels 00 and 01 at the Gleeson Street entrance to accommodate a new retail anchor unit. This new shop will take up 2,048 sqm floor space over two floors - 1,003 sqm at Level 00 and 1,045 sqm at Level 01.

The development will also see the amalgamation of three further units on Level 01 at the Mardyke Street entrance to accommodate the re-location of an existing retail tenant (438 sqm gross floor area ); minor elevation changes, and ancillary works. No additional retail floor area is proposed as part of this application.

Also included in the planning permission were four conditions which referred to keeping the new construction in line with the original planning permission, the type of shutters to be used and their colour, as well as the types of lighting and signage that could be used.

Planning permission was granted to Paul McCann and Stephen Tennant, receivers of the development.

A spokesperson for Athlone Towncentre said that the name of the new tenant would not be released until all contracts were signed.

2048 square metes would have to be a big store, Debenhams possibly?

Confirmed as TK Max.

nice_guy80 · 22-11-2014 6:28pm

As I stated previously, this centre should never have been built

Sunny Dayz · 22-11-2014 7:37pm

Back on topic, rumour mill says TK Maxx which I hope is true. Love having a rummage in TK when I'm in letterkenny so I hope if it opens in Athlone it will be good and bring people into the town.

galait · 22-11-2014 8:15pm

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Back on topic, rumour mill says TK Maxx which I hope is true. Love having a rummage in TK when I'm in letterkenny so I hope if it opens in Athlone it will be good and bring people into the town.

Idiots like you are the reason this country is in a mess, Athlone Town Centre is an example of why we are in such a mess..

Sunny Dayz · 22-11-2014 10:00pm

galait wrote: »

Idiots like you are the reason this country is in a mess, Athlone Town Centre is an example of why we are in such a mess..

Oh well close down the centre so and put all those people who work there out of a job!!

galait · 22-11-2014 10:21pm

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Oh well close down the centre so and put all those people who work there out of a job!!

Probably cheaper in the long run ,

Mearings · 23-11-2014 3:32pm

galait wrote: »

Probably cheaper in the long run ,

Why?

ongarboy · 23-11-2014 3:51pm

An article in the Sunday Times last week said TK Maxx will be opening 6 new stores in Ireland next year so I'd say Athlone is definitely one of the locations considering it's one of the largest towns (if not the largest) in the midlands.

I visited the Town Centre during the summer for the first time and was really impressed with it. It was as good as any shopping centre you'd see in a city and had all the big name stores.

L.Jenkins · 23-11-2014 11:15pm

<snip-deleted post>

nice_guy80 wrote: »

As I stated previously, this centre should never have been built

galait wrote: »

Idiots like you are the reason this country is in a mess, Athlone Town Centre is an example of why we are in such a mess..

galait wrote: »

Probably cheaper in the long run ,

To address these, maybe you're both right, maybe it shouldn't have been built. The damage has been done and 2 developers have passed on the debt to the tax payers. Their píss poor decisions has left a lasting positive effect. It's created jobs and additional spin off business, which has been good for Athlone. If you want to see a true waste of money, go check out the business parks out in Monksland.

tubos · 24-11-2014 5:46pm

Even though I like the shopping centre, mainly because it can be very quiet sometimes!!!, it definitely shouldn't have been built, just look at Church street now, and Sean Costello Street.

L.Jenkins · 24-11-2014 5:56pm

tubos wrote: »

Even though I like the shopping centre, mainly because it can be very quiet sometimes!!!, it definitely shouldn't have been built, just look at Church street now, and Sean Costello Street.

I agree, the surrounding streets are a ghost town, but on the flip side, it could be a good opportunity to redevelop those street and attract new business. All you have to do is walk through Athlone and see how decrepit half of the streets actually look.

Sunny Dayz · 24-11-2014 5:59pm

Itzy wrote: »

I agree, the surrounding streets are a ghost town, but on the flip side, it could be a good opportunity to redevelop those street and attract new business. All you have to do is walk through Athlone and see how decrepit half of the streets actually look.

Council are too busy tearing up half the streets instead!

L.Jenkins · 24-11-2014 9:46pm

Sure what else would they be píssing money down the drain for. It should be their aim to invest in the Town.

Mearings · 24-11-2014 9:58pm

Itzy wrote: »

Sure what else would they be píssing money down the drain for. It should be their aim to invest in the Town.

New water mains system could be considered to be an investment.

L.Jenkins · 24-11-2014 10:25pm

True. I'd in interested in talking a walk through town some weekend and counting the number of vacant units including what's in either shopping centre.

cena · 25-11-2014 4:14am

Itzy wrote: »

I agree, the surrounding streets are a ghost town, but on the flip side, it could be a good opportunity to redevelop those street and attract new business. All you have to do is walk through Athlone and see how decrepit half of the streets actually look.

the side streets are empty at the best

nice_guy80 · 25-11-2014 9:29pm

It has gone from being a nice town, to the centre of town being a hole

all the business has gone to shopping centres or the edge of town retail parks
Well done Westmeath Co Council

Mearings · 25-11-2014 9:59pm

Nil desperandum.

Long Gone · 27-11-2014 10:07pm

Omnem dimittite spem, o vos intrantes

SilverScreen · 27-11-2014 11:05pm

nice_guy80 wrote: »

It has gone from being a nice town, to the centre of town being a hole

all the business has gone to shopping centres or the edge of town retail parks
Well done Westmeath Co Council

People were complaining about the centre of town becoming a hole over a decade ago after Golden Island opened and some businesses relocated from the town centre, for example Eason.

Long Gone · 28-11-2014 8:54pm

SilverScreen wrote: »

People were complaining about the centre of town becoming a hole over a decade ago after Golden Island opened and some businesses relocated from the town centre, for example Eason.

They were, and they were absolutely right to do so - That was the start of the rot. Also bear in mind the allegations of political pull and corruption being involved regarding the granting of planning permission for the Golden Island shopping centre.

The centre of town has been almost destroyed by now as a result of appalling planning decisions - It's an absolute disgrace......

TUBBY · 28-11-2014 11:46pm

Mullingar no better with the business parks outside town.

Athlone never had the population to have 3 shopping centres. Anyone West would go to galway and east would go to Dublin.

SilverScreen · 28-11-2014 11:54pm

Long Gone wrote: »

They were, and they were absolutely right to do so - That was the start of the rot. Also bear in mind the allegations of political pull and corruption being involved regarding the granting of planning permission for the Golden Island shopping centre.

The centre of town has been almost destroyed by now as a result of appalling planning decisions - It's an absolute disgrace......

There are far worse planning decisions in this country, trust me. One-off housing for example.

athlonelad · 29-11-2014 12:17am

Long Gone wrote: »

They were, and they were absolutely right to do so - That was the start of the rot. Also bear in mind the allegations of political pull and corruption being involved regarding the granting of planning permission for the Golden Island shopping centre.

The centre of town has been almost destroyed by now as a result of appalling planning decisions - It's an absolute disgrace......

Golden island is the jewel in the Crown in terms of shopping centres in the midlands I would go as far as to say.

SilverScreen · 29-11-2014 12:56am

athlonelad wrote: »

Golden island is the jewel in the Crown in terms of shopping centres in the midlands I would go as far as to say.

Calling it a jewel in the crown is a bit too much. Maybe briefly in the late 90's after it opened.

Long Gone · 29-11-2014 8:20pm

athlonelad wrote: »

Golden island is the jewel in the Crown in terms of shopping centres in the midlands I would go as far as to say.

Jewel in the crown ? - Ah will ya get away outta dat ! You must be 'avin a laugh

Shure it was well out of date in design before it even opened. Very little to recommend it at all.....:rolleyes:

athlonelad · 30-11-2014 2:43am

Long Gone wrote: »

Jewel in the crown ? - Ah will ya get away outta dat ! You must be 'avin a laugh

Shure it was well out of date in design before it even opened. Very little to recommend it at all.....:rolleyes:

People of Athlone don't know how good they have it compared to most midland towns. Always tying to find something to give out about.
Anyways back on topic. Any confirmation of the new anchor in the the town centre?

Zubeneschamali · 01-12-2014 4:32pm

athlonelad wrote: »

Any confirmation of the new anchor in the the town centre?

No, but here's some hot gossip from 2003:

Leading UK and Irish retailers, including HMV, H Samuel, TK Maxx, Marks & Spencer, Mothercare, Next and Sony, are reported to be interested in the centre.

L.Jenkins · 02-12-2014 12:04am

From previous posts, the proposed anchor store is TK-Maxx. It's hard to know who will eventually take the unit over though.

Long Gone · 04-12-2014 9:12pm

Itzy wrote: »

From previous posts, the proposed anchor store is TK-Maxx. It's hard to know who will eventually take the unit over though.

Poundland ?

flazio · 04-12-2014 11:11pm

With relation to Golden Island, I imagine Tesco must feel quite confined in that end of centre space when compared to stores in the likes of Ballinasloe, Birr, Roscommon and that Extra in Tullamore.

L.Jenkins · 04-12-2014 11:25pm

Tesco do have an Express out near Monksland and they wanted to build a Tesco petrol station out near Supervalu, but it was vito'd just like Aldi and how they wanted to build on the Roscommon road.

nice_guy80 · 05-12-2014 9:12am

The design of Golden Island is ridiculous
walk all the way to get to the supermarket

athlonelad · 05-12-2014 10:40am

nice_guy80 wrote: »

The design of Golden Island is ridiculous
walk all the way to get to the supermarket

Tesco are the anchor tenant. Thats the whole idea. You have to walk past all the other shops to get to it. Thus creating footfall for the small independent traders. There is an ongoing row in Tullamore shopping centre at the moment where Dunnes are opening a side door so people dont have to go through the shopping centre. The traders there are picketing the exit!

BoB_BoT · 08-12-2014 11:28am

Completely understandable why they'd object to a sidedoor. Why would you pay the high rents of a shopping centre unit when everyone can bypass you and drop your footfall.

Tesco in Golden Island were looking to do that too, adding an entrance to the side of their store, pretty sure they were shot down on that, despite being the owners.

veryangryman · 08-12-2014 11:50am

BoB_BoT wrote: »

Completely understandable why they'd object to a sidedoor. Why would you pay the high rents of a shopping centre unit when everyone can bypass you and drop your footfall.

Tesco in Golden Island were looking to do that too, adding an entrance to the side of their store, pretty sure they were shot down on that, despite being the owners.

If they lost the rent in GI, they could kiss goodbye to offering free parking to everyone. Half the reason the place is so popular is free parking.

Side-door would also require a complete reallignment of the car-park. If (say) 50% of those going to GI are Tesco shoppers, the staff car park would suddenly be used by regular punters.

TBH its fine the way it is. Free car park subsidied by customers of the stores. Wish the rest of town (and towns across the country - i cant stand paying to park in 1-horse towns) worked that way.

Sunny Dayz · 08-12-2014 12:03pm

BoB_BoT wrote: »

Completely understandable why they'd object to a sidedoor. Why would you pay the high rents of a shopping centre unit when everyone can bypass you and drop your footfall.

Tesco in Golden Island were looking to do that too, adding an entrance to the side of their store, pretty sure they were shot down on that, despite being the owners.

I think it was moreso when Tesco was 24 hour. The mall was wide open for all and sundry to trapse through all night, lord knows we did that ourselves after the nightclub for some nibbles and a sit down on the bench with sore feet.
With a door at the Tesco end of the mall, they should have been able to close off the main mall then at night time, save on unnecessary security work.

Long Gone · 08-12-2014 8:48pm

veryangryman wrote: »

If they lost the rent in GI, they could kiss goodbye to offering free parking to everyone. Half the reason the place is so popular is free parking.

Side-door would also require a complete reallignment of the car-park. If (say) 50% of those going to GI are Tesco shoppers, the staff car park would suddenly be used by regular punters.

TBH its fine the way it is. Free car park subsidied by customers of the stores. Wish the rest of town (and towns across the country - i cant stand paying to park in 1-horse towns) worked that way.

Providing free parking was one of the conditions of planning permission being granted in the first place ! They tried to bring in paid parking a few years ago (they even installed the pay stations) but they had to back down when they were reminded of that one of the conditions for planning consent was that the car parking provided would be free.

I wasn't aware that there was a staff car park - Do you mean the car park nearest to the Dublin road that isn't used much because it's further away from the entrance ? The staff park in the most convenient spot they can find like everyone else....

I agree with you about having to pay for parking in towns. Visitors hate it - Ireland of the welcomes ? - Ireland of the money grabbing gombeens more like .:mad:

Long Gone · 08-12-2014 8:56pm

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

I think it was moreso when Tesco was 24 hour.

What hours are they open these days then - It was fierce handy when they were open 24 hours....

Pity you couldn't buy booze 24 hours - Who was responsible for the current stupid licensing laws ? - Like you can't buy alcohol before a certain time in the morning - What the hell is that all about ? .:rolleyes:

veryangryman · 08-12-2014 10:51pm

Long Gone wrote: »

What hours are they open these days then - It was fierce handy when they were open 24 hours....

8am-12pm

Cut again from 6am-12am i think. I don't blame them. The few customers they get at night would do their shopping a different day (or goto Kilmartins/Grove for late night Johnnys/Tampax or call the 24 hour beer guy for beer).

Point is they were losing money. The side door entrance at night would have attracted a few extra customers i guess. The town doesn't need 24 hour shopping, nowhere does.

galait · 09-12-2014 11:34am

veryangryman wrote: »

8am-12pm

Cut again from 6am-12am i think. I don't blame them. The few customers they get at night would do their shopping a different day (or goto Kilmartins/Grove for late night Johnnys/Tampax or call the 24 hour beer guy for beer).

Point is they were losing money. The side door entrance at night would have attracted a few extra customers i guess. The town doesn't need 24 hour shopping, nowhere does.

Nothing to do with Golden Island ,It is a Tesco policy in General to cut costs , When they were busy Nationally they paid lots of staff to work through the night on Premium Wages to stock shelves , I often went Golden Island @ 6 AM and there were dozens of workers busy stacking shelves ,Look at the opening time for Tesco in Tullamore , Maynooth and Naas , All Huge stores that are now only open form 6 or 8 am to midnight..

Long Gone · 10-12-2014 7:06pm

veryangryman wrote: »

The town doesn't need 24 hour shopping, nowhere does.

As a frequent night shift worker I completely disagree. It's 2014 - We should have a 24/7 economy now. The disappearance of 24 hour shopping in Athlone is if anything indicative of the general economic decline that has befallen the town. Any decent sized town or city should have 24 hour shopping, and most of them have.

veryangryman · 10-12-2014 8:22pm

Long Gone wrote: »

As a frequent night shift worker I completely disagree. It's 2014 - We should have a 24/7 economy now. The disappearance of 24 hour shopping in Athlone is if anything indicative of the general economic decline that has befallen the town. Any decent sized town or city should have 24 hour shopping, and most of them have.

I don't think they do. Or that they have. Portlaoise tullamore mullingar don't have them.

Buzz words like 24/7 economy do not beat facts of supply and demand. I can't see it returning outside of cities minimum galways size.

Long Gone · 10-12-2014 9:25pm

veryangryman wrote: »

I don't think they do. Or that they have. Portlaoise tullamore mullingar don't have them.

Buzz words like 24/7 economy do not beat facts of supply and demand. I can't see it returning outside of cities minimum galways size.

This is Athlone, capital of the midlands that we're talking about here, not parochial backwaters like Portlaoise, Tullamore and Mullingar. A town with the population critical mass and the vibrancy of Athlone should support be able 24 hour supermarket opening of at least one supermarket.

24 hour shopping is available in any decent sized town in say the UK or France - Why does everything in Ireland always have to be second or third rate ? ?

galait · 10-12-2014 9:37pm

Long Gone wrote: »

This is Athlone, capital of the midlands that we're talking about here, not parochial backwaters like Portlaoise, Tullamore and Mullingar. A town with the population critical mass and the vibrancy of Athlone should support be able 24 hour supermarket opening of at least one supermarket.

24 hour shopping is available in any decent sized town in say the UK or France - Why does everything in Ireland always have to be second or third rate ? ?

FFS Supermarkets in France close @ 1 pm on a Sunday

veryangryman · 10-12-2014 10:49pm

Long Gone wrote: »

This is Athlone, capital of the midlands that we're talking about here, not parochial backwaters like Portlaoise, Tullamore and Mullingar. A town with the population critical mass and the vibrancy of Athlone should support be able 24 hour supermarket opening of at least one supermarket.

24 hour shopping is available in any decent sized town in say the UK or France - Why does everything in Ireland always have to be second or third rate ? ?

Athlone is not Vibrant these days - there have been ALOT of closures and false starts of new shops the past few years, retail and social venues inclusive. Not as bad as other towns but still pretty bad.

The UK (legally) cannot open on Sundays in most stores until 1pm. Some don't even bother and close for the day. I include some 24 hour stores in this.

As for any UK town the size of Athlone having 24 hour shopping , please name a few. I've lived in Sheffield (population twice the size of Cork), but am unfamiliar with small towns - the few i've seen seem to stray away from big supermarkets that are open all the time. Of course yes the cities there have it.

Generally things are actually pretty good now. Wouldn't trade it for the problems/cost of living in the UK.

D Trent · 10-12-2014 10:54pm

veryangryman wrote: »

I don't think they do. Or that they have. Portlaoise tullamore mullingar don't have them.

Buzz words like 24/7 economy do not beat facts of supply and demand. I can't see it returning outside of cities minimum galways size.

Galway no longer has a 24hr supermarket. Only convenience stores and service stations

D Trent · 10-12-2014 10:57pm

Small shops in Athlone struggling to survive? Stop that nonsense wilya

http://www.joe.ie/life-style/pic-athlone-shoe-shop-offers-a-deal-you-would-only-see-in-ireland/478327

Long Gone · 11-12-2014 1:13am

veryangryman wrote: »

As for any UK town the size of Athlone having 24 hour shopping , please name a few.

No problem - There are ASDA stores in almost every town in the UK and most are 24 hours open. Let's take a little place like Roehampton as an example :

http://storelocator.asda.com/store/roehampton

Or sleepy little Lincoln :

http://storelocator.asda.com/store/lincoln-north-hykeham

You can find as many as you like on the ASDA website and many have a catchment population smaller than that of Athlone.

veryangryman wrote: »

The UK (legally) cannot open on Sundays in most stores until 1pm. Some don't even bother and close for the day.

You better call the UK police and tell them that ASDA are opening at 11am on a Sunday ! .:eek:

And those criminals in Sainsburys open at 10am....

http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/storelocator/storelocator_landing.jsp?bmForm=stores_main_search&bmFormID=1418314545742&bmUID=1418314545742&bmIsForm=true&bmPrevTemplate=%2Fsol%2Fstorelocator%2Fstorelocator_landing.jsp&bmText=search_string_field&search_string_field=lincoln&bmHidden=notifysearchcontroller&notifysearchcontroller=fromsrchmechnsm&bmSubmit=Go&bmHidden=isJavascriptEnabled&isJavascriptEnabled=true&redirectto=mapView

nice_guy80 · 11-12-2014 5:58pm

go to Sweden.
all off licences close 5pm on saturday, not open on a Sunday.
actually, that would improve Athlone

Athlone Towncentre granted new anchor

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