Business closures around the county

hairyprincess · 16-04-2012 7:06pm #1

The Harbour Store on the pier in Killybegs is closing after 16 years in business

Hootanany · 16-04-2012 7:15pm

A bit off topic but the house beside McGinleys Garage anyone know what's happening with it.

byte · 16-04-2012 9:13pm

Which one?

The one below McGinleys has a For Sale sign. The one above is part of the garage used as offices?

Carrickman · 16-04-2012 9:23pm

hairyprincess wrote: »

The Harbour Store on the pier in Killybegs is closing after 16 years in business

that's a shock is this anything to do with rates as it is on the pier?

hairyprincess · 16-04-2012 10:26pm

byte wrote: »

Which one?

The one below McGinleys has a For Sale sign. The one above is part of the garage used as offices?

The one on the pier. I don't know what other one you mean

Carrickman wrote: »

that's a shock is this anything to do with rates as it is on the pier?

According to an article in the Democrat (available online), the Dept. of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food own the building and they have an upward only rent review policy :mad:

muffler · 17-04-2012 12:59pm

I've started this new thread to keep things neat and tidy as a couple of the posts above were off topic in the "o2 closing down in Donegal" thread.

Anyone who knows of any business recently closed or about to close can post the details here.

Sadly it wont make for nice reading though.

echo beach · 17-04-2012 1:51pm

muffler wrote: »

Anyone who knows of any business recently closed or about to close can post the details here.

Sadly it wont make for nice reading though.

This could turn into a very long thread. Every town and village in Donegal has vacant buildings and 'for let' signs.

The Milford Inn is the most recent high profile closure but many small shops, pubs, hairdressers, etc are closing all the time. Usually only the owner and one or two staff are affected and they don't leave debts or lost deposits so they don't even get a mention.

muffler · 17-04-2012 1:56pm

echo beach wrote: »

This could turn into a very long thread.

I really hope it doesn't for obvious reasons.

However the thread may serve a purpose by pointing the politicians to it whenever they're on their soapbox claiming to have done this, that and the other for employment in the county.

I'll stop. I feel the blood pressure rising :mad:

Mint Sauce · 17-04-2012 7:17pm

muffler wrote: »

I really hope it doesn't for obvious reasons.

However the thread may serve a purpose by pointing the politicians to it whenever they're on their soapbox claiming to have done this, that and the other for employment in the county.

I'll stop. I feel the blood pressure rising :mad:

Plus the o2 thread was quite misleading in the end.

<hides>

muffler · 17-04-2012 7:22pm

irish-stew wrote: »

Plus the o2 thread was quite misleading in the end.

<hides>

With all the talk about food I hadn't the heart to moderate it

Hootanany · 17-04-2012 7:22pm

byte wrote: »

Which one?

The one below McGinleys has a For Sale sign. The one above is part of the garage used as offices?

The one with the For Sale sign.

Firblog · 17-04-2012 9:00pm

Which McGinleys Garage... Donegal Town or Letterkenny?

byte · 17-04-2012 9:14pm

Firblog wrote: »

Which McGinleys Garage... Donegal Town or Letterkenny?

I had assumed Donegal town, though not sure. However, there is a house beside McGinleys with a For Sale sign alright.

Have to admit, I've not looked much at it, didn't realise stuff was happening with it.

While in the same neck of the woods (though admittedly OT, just doesn't warrant its own thread), that seated area on the roof of the new Tourist Info gaff with the fancy flowers, etc. - has it ever been open? I've not seen anyone sitting up there.

overshoot · 17-04-2012 9:27pm

byte wrote: »

While in the same neck of the woods (though admittedly OT, just doesn't warrant its own thread), that seated area on the roof of the new Tourist Info gaff with the fancy flowers, etc. - has it ever been open? I've not seen anyone sitting up there.

its in a terrible place, there is nothing on that side of the road after Doms, the next thing is a dentist by the tech (mcginleys comes and goes!), and there is a big gap in the footpath to the gate too... any tourist who wants a view will have walked down the pier before they even realise its there. basically a case of looks pretty in plan but complete ignorance of context.... as in basic footfall
im pretty sure i remember the gate being open from the road but looking at google street view its closed and the gate from the car park side up the steps is half open

muffler · 17-04-2012 10:10pm

Firblog wrote: »

Which McGinleys Garage... Donegal Town or Letterkenny?

Im confused now myself. I thought it was Letterkenny.

Hootanany · 18-04-2012 1:09pm

No Donegal Town McGinleys.

echo beach · 24-04-2012 9:30pm

Back to the topic of closures, Classic Casuals on Letterkenny's main street is closed according to today's People's Press. The one in the shopping centre closed a while ago.

electro-shocks · 25-04-2012 4:59am

Classic blinds which was beside glencar has now closed

Posh dolly's I think it was a women's clothes shop or something like that on lower main street is also gone.

Reynolds music shop seems to be closed quite a lot these days, don't think they have closed up shop yet tho.

TreasureBin · 27-04-2012 1:56pm

electro-shocks wrote: »

Classic blinds which was beside glencar has now closed

Posh dolly's I think it was a women's clothes shop or something like that on lower main street is also gone.

Reynolds music shop seems to be closed quite a lot these days, don't think they have closed up shop yet tho.

Posh Dolly's was a charity shop and disappeared around the same time that Donegal Pet Rescue opened a charity shop a few doors along. Three charity shops (inc. Deja Vu) within 100 metres would never have survived!

Orion's health food store on Oliver Plunkett closed a few months ago and the Courtyard Centre has lost a few tenants this year - O'Donnells Pharmacy, Shoe Zone, Gadget Store (moved to Tesco centre) and upstairs Sara has amalgamated with downstairs Sara.
And now Pat's Pizza has fallen by the wayside!

homer simpson · 27-04-2012 2:04pm

TreasureBin wrote: »

Posh Dolly's was a charity shop and disappeared around the same time that Donegal Pet Rescue opened a charity shop a few doors along. Three charity shops (inc. Deja Vu) within 100 metres would never have survived!

Orion's health food store on Oliver Plunkett closed a few months ago and the Courtyard Centre has lost a few tenants this year - O'Donnells Pharmacy, Shoe Zone, Gadget Store (moved to Tesco centre) and upstairs Sara has amalgamated with downstairs Sara.
And now Pat's Pizza has fallen by the wayside!

Is Pat's Pizza closed :eek: Please tell me no, best pizza around

GoldenGreen · 27-04-2012 2:32pm

homer_simpson wrote: »

Is Pat's Pizza closed :eek: Please tell me no, best pizza around

I am open to correction but I dont think Pat's Pizza is closed, I though it was closed too reading the Donegal News last night as the owners of Pats's were in the paper saying that another buniness has closed on the main street and something needs to be done about it, the bit did not mention what placed closed, and so left the impression that it was Pats that had closed, but inside the paper there was a bit about Classic Casuals closing down this week so that was the business that the owners of Pats were commenting on

Vinegar Hill · 27-04-2012 4:20pm

Oatfield sweets in Letterkenny is to move to the UK.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/sweet-factory-to-leave-donegal-for-uk-549359.html

danjo · 27-04-2012 5:27pm

Vinegar Hill wrote: »

Oatfield sweets in Letterkenny is to move to the UK.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/sweet-factory-to-leave-donegal-for-uk-549359.html

That's a real pity. I remember the TV program last year about Oatfield. They interviewed workers and former workers. They came across as one big family dedicated to their work.

TreasureBin · 27-04-2012 5:58pm

GoldenGreen wrote: »

I am open to correction but I dont think Pat's Pizza is closed, I though it was closed too reading the Donegal News last night as the owners of Pats's were in the paper saying that another buniness has closed on the main street and something needs to be done about it, the bit did not mention what placed closed, and so left the impression that it was Pats that had closed, but inside the paper there was a bit about Classic Casuals closing down this week so that was the business that the owners of Pats were commenting on

That's where I got the impression they were closing - my apologies for giving Pat's fans heart failure!
http://donegalnews.com/2012/04/26/combined-effort-needed-to-save-heart-of-cathedral-town

homer simpson · 27-04-2012 6:18pm

TreasureBin wrote: »

That's where I got the impression they were closing - my apologies for giving Pat's fans heart failure!
http://donegalnews.com/2012/04/26/combined-effort-needed-to-save-heart-of-cathedral-town

Your not forgiven, that like saying the 4 lights is closing... blasphemous :pac:

TreasureBin · 27-04-2012 10:01pm

Mint Sauce · 28-04-2012 12:02am

Absolutly loved pats when I was living in Letterkenny. Even though its been a few years since I ate from it, would be devestated knowing it would never be there for me just in case.

Harps · 28-04-2012 3:23am

Yeah had a minor heart attack when I read that, best pizza in the town easy!

K-9 · 28-04-2012 11:17pm

A shame to see Classic Casuals going, best menswear shop in the town for years, probably too much competition in the town now, a couple have closed now.

Is Jack Jones still open? Walked past it a couple of weeks ago and it was shut.

29-04-2012 10:41am

K-9 wrote: »

A shame to see Classic Casuals going, best menswear shop in the town for years, probably too much competition in the town now, a couple have closed now.

Is Jack Jones still open? Walked past it a couple of weeks ago and it was shut.

Jack and Jones are closed too.

Disappointing to see Classic Casuals going...I don't really like Evolve or River Island

foggy · 30-04-2012 11:57am

Energise Gym at the New Dunnes has closed as well.

muffler · 30-04-2012 1:16pm

I knew this thread was going to be depressing

deman · 01-05-2012 12:31pm

foggy wrote: »

Energise Gym at the New Dunnes has closed as well.

Anyone know why?

donegal_man · 01-05-2012 5:29pm

K-9 wrote: »

A shame to see Classic Casuals going, best menswear shop in the town for years, probably too much competition in the town now, a couple have closed now.

Is Jack Jones still open? Walked past it a couple of weeks ago and it was shut.

Was in town for the first time in ages today (not been back in the country long) the Main St./Courtyard is turning into a ghost town
Couldn't believe it when I saw CC was gone. On the up side a taxi driver reckons that they are re-opening in the Market Square.
Where/what was Jack Jones? I'm just curious, I didn't see any sign of them on the Main St

K-9 · 01-05-2012 7:09pm

donegal_man wrote: »

Where/what was Jack Jones? I'm just curious, I didn't see any sign of them on the Main St

The main shopping centre. The group went into examinership but I thought the store was safe, that was why I was surprised.

oranbhoy67 · 01-05-2012 7:34pm

deman wrote: »

Anyone know why?

from there owner on facebook

" Hi folks, Donald McNair here, owner of Energie Fitness club in Letterkenny.
I appreciate everyone’s anger and annoyance about what has happened at the club so I feel I should explain the situation a bit better. I was recently diagnosed with an illness that forced me to look at my personal life in depth. In the current economic climate the business, as every business, was extremely difficult to keep going and unfortunately, it could not sustain itself financially any longer so I took the decision to scale it back. I am in negotiations to try to find a way to keep the club open for the members but unfortunately I was forced to let my staff go. It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make and one that I deeply regret and feel very saddened about. As far as I am concerned, my staff were the best team of people I could have worked with and I know they gave everything to me while employed. I want to publically thank them here for everything and also to apologise to them for the way that it had to end. Can I also apologise to the members of the club and assure them I am doing everything I can to keep the club open for them and I will issue a formal statement next week on the progress."

Needless to say theres a lot of people on there page who have paid for membership up front that are very very angry!!

link - https://www.facebook.com/attiva.letterkenny

donegal_man · 02-05-2012 12:50pm

K-9 wrote: »

donegal_man wrote: »

Where/what was Jack Jones? I'm just curious, I didn't see any sign of them on the Main St

The main shopping centre. The group went into examinership but I thought the store was safe, that was why I was surprised.

Thanks for the info. I'm in the Shopping Center at the moment and have to say the number of empty units, specially along the extension/corridor is deeply depressing.
The only two shops with people in them are the butchers & the phone shop.

hairyprincess · 02-05-2012 10:29pm

I was in Letterkenny on Sunday, I had planned on going to Pat's Pizza after all the good stuff I read on here, but it was closed, at 2pm

So went to Four Star instead, we were the second customers of the day, and he had been opened since 12.

It's sad to see all these closures, and for sure there will be more to follow

K-9 · 02-05-2012 11:33pm

hairyprincess wrote: »

I was in Letterkenny on Sunday, I had planned on going to Pat's Pizza after all the good stuff I read on here, but it was closed, at 2pm

So went to Four Star instead, we were the second customers of the day, and he had been opened since 12.

It's sad to see all these closures, and for sure there will be more to follow

When you've the Quiet Moment and the Sandwich Company company next door or across the road, I doubt Pat's Pizza stands a chance, never mind Doherty butchers with a cheap deli. I can understand why they don't open until late.

The Sandwich company closes at 5

and the deli stops around then, the Quiet Moment closes at 6. Makes perfect sense.

Pique · 02-05-2012 11:47pm

And yet there's no place to get a coffee and a snack after 6pm. That's a disgrace IMO. Pub or chipper and that's it.

If somewhere opened to allow you to get a coffee and cake (or even a Club Milk), with wifi or the paper and a bit of decent music on the stereo (ie. Not the radio) then it would attract a few and probably eventually become an alternative to the pubs.
I'm not talking about €2.50 for a filter coffee either.

Like has been mentioned, a bit of imagination would scare the pants off the business owners in LK.

Ammonite · 03-05-2012 7:50pm

I heard Grant Computers in Ballybofey has closed.

Heard that the 4 Lites in Ballybofey was going to close, but that they negotiated a rent reduction which made it worth staying open. It hasn't really taken off, too many chippers in the town already.

donegalgirl28 · 04-05-2012 9:08am

It's really heartbreaking to see all these businesses go into recievership or close down, the Quality Court Hotel is the latest one. Something needs to be done about this!

<SNIP>

muffler · 04-05-2012 9:25am

donegalgirl28 wrote: »

It's really heartbreaking to see all these businesses go into recievership or close down, the Quality Court Hotel is the latest one. Something needs to be done about this!

<SNIP>

Please read the forum charter.

Firblog · 04-05-2012 8:30pm

Pique wrote: »

If somewhere opened to allow you to get a coffee and cake (or even a Club Milk), with wifi or the paper and a bit of decent music on the stereo (ie. Not the radio) then it would attract a few and probably eventually become an alternative to the pubs.
I'm not talking about €2.50 for a filter coffee either.

Like has been mentioned, a bit of imagination would scare the pants off the business owners in LK.

Imagination is grand, but when it comes up against cold hard financial reality then I'm afraid imagination usually doesn't stand up..
For what you propose the weekly running costs would probably be in the region of €1100 (min) you'd have to sell alot of club milks and cups of tea/coffee to cover that, would have to do a lot more than 'attract a few'

tatabubbly · 04-05-2012 10:07pm

Well, no wonder businesses are closing left right and centre. I live 10 minutes outside Letterkenny... along a main road, however to my dismay there are no buses running at frequent times ....

I'm suppose to be at work at 10am tomoro morning, the only bus that passes is at 7.55 leaving me in LK for 8.05.

One of the contributing factors I'd say..

donegal_man · 05-05-2012 1:43am

Agree 100% there is no decent public transport in Donegal. If you don't have a car you are stranded.
My ex-wife's aunt lives in Fanad and she has to get a taxi any time she needs to come to Letterkenny which means that she has very little disposable income. Expand that to the rest of county and it has to have a detrimental effect on spending power and business.

Firblog · 05-05-2012 11:29am

There are 9 buses running everyday between Ballyboffey and Letterkenny

13 everyday between Derry & Letterkenny (if there were fewer of these there might be fewer businesses going to the wall in Letterkenny)

Link

Seems a pretty good service to letterkenny to me

muffler · 05-05-2012 11:42am

Firblog wrote: »

13 everyday between Derry & Letterkenny (if there were fewer of these there might be fewer businesses going to the wall in Letterkenny)

I dont understand your point with that comment. Can you elaborate?

Firblog · 05-05-2012 12:18pm

It was a roundabout observation that if more people shopped locally then there would be less business closures & less unemployment.
The frequent bus service to Derry makes it much easier for people to shop in the north, which can be a false economy..

tatabubbly · 05-05-2012 9:35pm

Firblog, I live on the other side of Letterkenny, the dungloe side. It's impossible to get a bus. Approx I'd say 4 buses go through every day, less on a saturday and sunday. Has an awful effect on myself anyways money wise. Trying to organise lifts and car sharing is the only way I've still got my job atm anyways.

I used to live in Inishowen and the services to there just seem to be getting worse and worse. I know donegal has a smaller population than other counties but its such a hugh county transport wise, it's hard to get anywhere.

People tend to mill alot around the shopping centre were tescos are, seems to always be the busiest place in town, as well as were the new Dealz store is.

Firblog · 06-05-2012 1:09pm

Ah sorry, didn't think of that direction or even out the mountain top.. Just not viable to run hourly services from those directions given the populations I suppose

Business closures around the county

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