Argos FINALLY arrive in Sligo..

Basq

According to one of our regular posters here on the forum (Sligored) in the 'Shopping in Sligo' post, Argos is looking likely to finally be making a move to Sligo. His post says as follows:

Sligored wrote:

you read it first here ... argos en route to sligo ... more to follow in local papers this week

So I guess the 'Sligo Post' is gonna have to delay their front-page news story on swingers party's in Lough Gill for another week!

Great news if it is indeed true!

Xiney

I suppose the real question is... when will it open?

AlmightyCushion

Cool. Does anyone know where it is going?

gustavo

Presumably it's a paddling for Sligored if they don't come now

magnumlady

I'm just hoping its not going to be in the new Wine Street shopping centre, if/when that ever happens.

easkey

I will believe it when I see it.

BUT I HOPE U ARE RIGHT

:pac::pac::pac:

I have sent them e-mails last year and they said

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055176579&highlight=argos

Basq

Isn't their someone else now head of the Chamber of Commerce though? Think it was Joe McCann.. maybe they came to their senses.

magnumlady

basquille wrote: »

Isn't their someone else now head of the Chamber of Commerce though? Think it was Joe McCann.. maybe they came to their senses.

It is Joe McCann, statement here:

Message from the Chamber President Joe McCann
There are very exciting times to come for Sligo with the further development of the Centre Block and keeping Sligo where it belongs as the retail hub of the North West. However, parking is still a major problem for Sligo and hopefully in 2008 this can be addressed; this together with a firm commitment to the Western Rail Corridor and the importance of the Sligo General Hospital will be the focus of my presidency.

http://www.sligochamber.com/

bobcar61

I got so excited when I saw the title of the thread when it said they "Arrive In Sligo" but they have not arrived yet so we could be waiting a while yet.

Then I started to think that it was a joke about some Argos truck around the town,but thankfully it wasn't.

TequilaMockingBird

Great news! Even if its this time next year, it would be big draw to the area.

As for it affecting small independent retaillers, most of them are gone now anyway....

magnumlady

bobcar61 wrote: »

I got so excited when I saw the title of the thread when it said they "Arrive In Sligo" but they have not arrived yet so we could be waiting a while yet.

Then I started to think that it was a joke about some Argos truck around the town,but thankfully it wasn't.

The truck has been going around for a few years but they are a sister company of Homebase and I saw an Argos catalogue in there a few weeks back, so maybe you can order stuff through Homebase? Or maybe the staff can.

starbelgrade

magnumlady wrote: »

The truck has been going around for a few years but they are a sister company of Homebase and I saw an Argos catalogue in there a few weeks back, so maybe you can order stuff through Homebase? Or maybe the staff can.

Yeah - Argos & Homebase are one in the same... a lot of Homebase deliveries are done on the back of Argos trucks.

magnumlady

Got the Weekender today.....not a mention of Argos

brianthebard

I hope its the argos extra shop and not just a little one in the corner of the town somewhere.

magnumlady

Not a mention in The Post or Champion either

Basq

Maybe they're biding their time til all is confirmed and settled..

Big_Mac

The best location for it I think would aruably be in Cleveragh retail park. Lets face it theres nothing else in there really, and the on site parking would be great when you take to a shopping frenzy

New head of the chamber of commerce or not, as soon as there a whisper of an applicaiton lodged to bring Argos to sligo they will be up in arms about it again. They'll no doubt come up with some farcical excuse to object to it, but they will. History will repeat itself I fear. I just don't see the local business giving up the monopoly they have for some fair competition. (Maybe we could get the competition authority involved )

I wouldn't blame Argos if they couldn't be bothered with all the hassle.

starbelgrade

mcgowan.b wrote: »

The best location for it I think would aruably be in Cleveragh retail park. Lets face it theres nothing else in there really, and the on site parking would be great when you take to a shopping frenzy

New head of the chamber of commerce or not, as soon as there a whisper of an applicaiton lodged to bring Argos to sligo they will be up in arms about it again. They'll no doubt come up with some farcical excuse to object to it, but they will. History will repeat itself I fear. I just don't see the local business giving up the monopoly they have for some fair competition. (Maybe we could get the competition authority involved )

I wouldn't blame Argos if they couldn't be bothered with all the hassle.

"Sligo Chamber exists to further the interests of its members by influencing all appropriate public and private bodies or agencies, to promote the long term economic developments of the county and to create, maintain and develop an environment and infrastructure in County Sligo which is conducive to the development of local business, industry and commerce.

Providing a range of effective and efficient services to enable the business community to grow, develop and gain competitive advantage, and to attract new industry, commerce and investment to the County."

What they don't seem able to accept though, is that commerce does not exist without consumers & that in this case, the consumer is getting the V-sign from them.

And as for their mission statement about attracting "new industry, commerce and investment to the County"... what a load of complete bollocks.

If I need something from Argos, I have to drive to Longford to get it. A lot of things I but from Argos are simply nor available in Sligo, so the county is losing out on getting my money & I'm losing out coz I'm wasting time & petrol getting there and back.

The Chamber seriously needs to cop onto themselves & remember the old adage - that in retail, the customer is always right. :mad:

Gillie

mcgowan.b wrote: »

The best location for it I think would aruably be in Cleveragh retail park. Lets face it theres nothing else in there really, and the on site parking would be great when you take to a shopping frenzy

New head of the chamber of commerce or not, as soon as there a whisper of an applicaiton lodged to bring Argos to sligo they will be up in arms about it again. They'll no doubt come up with some farcical excuse to object to it, but they will. History will repeat itself I fear. I just don't see the local business giving up the monopoly they have for some fair competition. (Maybe we could get the competition authority involved )

I wouldn't blame Argos if they couldn't be bothered with all the hassle.

Strongly agree!

starbelgrade wrote: »

"Sligo Chamber exists to further the interests of its members by influencing all appropriate public and private bodies or agencies, to promote the long term economic developments of the county and to create, maintain and develop an environment and infrastructure in County Sligo which is conducive to the development of local business, industry and commerce.

Providing a range of effective and efficient services to enable the business community to grow, develop and gain competitive advantage, and to attract new industry, commerce and investment to the County."

What they don't seem able to accept though, is that commerce does not exist without consumers & that in this case, the consumer is getting the V-sign from them.

And as for their mission statement about attracting "new industry, commerce and investment to the County"... what a load of complete bollocks.

If I need something from Argos, I have to drive to Longford to get it. A lot of things I but from Argos are simply nor available in Sligo, so the county is losing out on getting my money & I'm losing out coz I'm wasting time & petrol getting there and back.

The Chamber seriously needs to cop onto themselves & remember the old adage - that in retail, the customer is always right. :mad:

Very Very Stongly Agree!

Big_Mac

starbelgrade wrote: »

"Sligo Chamber exists to further the interests of its members by influencing all appropriate public and private bodies or agencies, to promote the long term economic developments of the county and to create, maintain and develop an environment and infrastructure in County Sligo which is conducive to the development of local business, industry and commerce.

Here here, Couldn't have put it better myself. If the members of the chamber feel threatened by a new business coming to town, they'll do everything they can to stop it. Lets face it, they're doing a pretty good job so far

starbelgrade wrote: »

What they don't seem able to accept though, is that commerce does not exist without consumers & that in this case, the consumer is getting the V-sign from them.

Lets face it, when have any business company or board given a toss about what the consumer think? we are only the means to their profit marjin after all. Tossers.

il gatto

What people should be concerned with is that their objections are given credence, and moreover, upheld. With such one eyed objections from a self preservation society such as the Chamber, why are our civil servants making ridiculous judgements based on their attempts to keep hold of whatever position they think they hold? They're a miserable shower for the selfish way they've gone about it, but I hold my real disgust for those who implemented their wishlist, flicking a V-sign to the public's wishes. We pay their effing wages.:mad:

Culchie

mcgowan.b wrote: »

Lets face it, when have any business company or board given a toss about what the consumer think? we are only the means to their profit marjin after all. Tossers.

Are you some left wing radical or something? I'm going to guess you are a student and haven't quite thought this statement through.

Businesses cannot, I repeat, cannot suceed without consumers.

Of course businesses are there to make money....why would anyone set up a business to lose money? Businesses create jobs, they buy off other businesses that in turn keep other people in work.... whats the problem?

Successful companies look after their customers, but it would be a bit 'fluffy' to think that it wasn't based on the intention to make money.

btw, I'd love to see Argos in Sligo

Big_Mac

Culchie wrote: »

Are you some left wing radical or something? I'm going to guess you are a student and haven't quite thought this statement through.

Businesses cannot, I repeat, cannot suceed without consumers.

Of course businesses are there to make money....why would anyone set up a business to lose money? Businesses create jobs, they buy off other businesses that in turn keep other people in work.... whats the problem?

Successful companies look after their customers, but it would be a bit 'fluffy' to think that it wasn't based on the intention to make money.

btw, I'd love to see Argos in Sligo

Leftwing? Me? Most assuredly not, nor am I a student. I am just an opinionated local resident

Sucessful companies look after their customers? I agree they have to yes.
Sligo business's appear to be doing so by force and not through customer service or value for money. By lodging objections to prevent Argos coming to sligo they are forcing consumers to continue giving their money to the local business that's in place. They have prevented any form of competition and consequently removed any form of free choice to the consumer.

Il Gatto has put this perfectly, the chamber have implemented their wishlist regardless of public opinoin. Its a mini version of the nanny state. 'We should continue to shop as we do because they tell us to', and if we don't like it, they will do their damdest to stop anyone else coming in and giving the public a freedom of choice, ergo my gripe.

TequilaMockingBird

Which Argos is nearest to Sligo?

Big_Mac

sueme wrote: »

Which Argos is nearest to Sligo?

Longford or Castlebar, its the same distance to either place.

TequilaMockingBird

mcgowan.b wrote: »

Longford or Castlebar, its the same distance to either place.

Thanks for that. Usually go when in Enniskillen.

dingding

mcgowan.b wrote: »

Longford or Castlebar, its the same distance to either place.

Enniskillen will be nearer than either of them. And there is a good rate for sterling at the moment.

If traveling from Sligo I would recommend Enniskillen.

starbelgrade

dingding wrote: »

Enniskillen will be nearer than either of them. And there is a good rate for sterling at the moment.

If traveling from Sligo I would recommend Enniskillen.

I wouldn't. Can't stand the place. Crap road to it & the exchange rate's normally worse. There's only about 15 mins driving distance between them from Sligo & if the roads are busy, you'd be quicker going to Longford.

Gillie

dingding wrote: »

Enniskillen will be nearer than either of them. And there is a good rate for sterling at the moment.

If traveling from Sligo I would recommend Enniskillen.

No way! Its an hour to Castlebar and maybe just over an hour to Longford and it's a straight road!

TequilaMockingBird

Fight Fight Fight!!

starbelgrade

Gillie wrote: »

No way! Its an hour to Castlebar and maybe just over an hour to Longford and it's a straight road!

Plus there's no border crossings.

TequilaMockingBird

Lets hope there's something in the Champion today regarding planning.

Or maybe they'll put it in the Post, unless the Chamber of Commerce members are 17/18 it might slip through under the radar!

Basq

sueme wrote: »

Lets hope there's something in the Champion today regarding planning.

Or maybe they'll put it in the Post, unless the Chamber of Commerce members are 17/18 it might slip through under the radar!

The only way it'll be announced in the Post is if they go on a pub crawl wearing a sandwich board with "Argos moves to Sligo" on it.

TequilaMockingBird

basquille wrote: »

The only way it'll be announced in the Post is if they go on a pub crawl wearing a sandwich board with "Argos moves to Sligo" on it.

Wearing a really purty dress..

starbelgrade

Sandwich boards & purty dresses... sounds like the Patricks Day parade all over again.

It's also worth noting that the objections of the Chambers do have a basis in the Sligo & Environs Development Plan which restricts retail warehousing to "selling truly bulky goods (furniture, carpets, bulky electrical goods, gardening goods, DIY items)" and restricts the sale of "grocery & food items, footwear, clothing, books, magazines, mobile phones, music, toiletries, cosmetics, artists materials, jewellery, gifts, china & leather goods".

This is to "limit the impact on the vitality & viability of the city centre".

elshambo

starbelgrade wrote: »

It's also worth noting that the objections of the Chambers do have a basis in the Sligo & Environs Development Plan which restricts retail warehousing to "selling truly bulky goods (furniture, carpets, bulky electrical goods, gardening goods, DIY items)" and restricts the sale of "grocery & food items, footwear, clothing, books, magazines, mobile phones, music, toiletries, cosmetics, artists materials, jewellery, gifts, china & leather goods".

This is to "limit the impact on the vitality & viability of the city centre".

There is an obvious flaw with the plan, without some:
"grocery & food items, footwear, clothing, books, magazines, mobile phones, music, toiletries, cosmetics, artists materials, jewellery, gifts, china & leather goods"
These retail parks have nothing to draw the regular day To day shopper in, meaning people will only go to these parks when they are defo after an item, this means the shops are getting no "impulse" buyers and more importantly
people arnt walking past eg a furniture shop and saying lets go in and have a look, planting the seed for a further purchase.
I said this to a manager I know in a sligo retail park and he agreed and asked could i explain this to his bosses who dont understand how a place the size of sligo is not generating the expected results.

This may be very good for the shopper in the short term (not spending on credit etc) but in the long term, these business will close, jobs will be lost and people will have to go back to paying over the top to chamber members for the same items.
Which would probably make the chamber members very happy!?

starbelgrade

The idea of trying to cram more shops into an small town already over populated, poorly served by public transport & with huge traffic congestion & parking problems is one of complete absurdity & unsustainability.

The fact that the centre of Sligo at the minute centres around Wine Street (Tesco & Dunnes) carparks is ridiculous. An ideal solution would be to relocate the big supermarkets outside the town and have them trade side by side with the large retail outlets. This would free up Wine Street car park for the development of local markets/ stalls etc & maybe some outdoor eateries - think along the lines of Camden Market.

With a few commercial centres built up around the town for supermarkets & retail warehousing, it would greatly improve traffic & parking congestion in the centre & make it a hell of a lot easier for people to get around & do their shopping. What would have to occur though, concurrently would be a huge investment in public transport. I would also suggest a 100% pedestrianisation of the town centre.... from the commercial centres there would be park & ride facilities in & out of town on a regular basis.

But that would be too forward thinking. Easier to just object blindly to the likes of Argos & protect a status quo that nobody but the Chambers members are happy with.

Xiney

I think the supermarkets should stay in the city centre, for what of those of us who don't drive?

I do think the city centre should be pedestrianised though. The reliance on the automobile in Sligo Town is just ridiculous - and unsustainable. But the public transport isn't there (or at least it doesn't run on any semblance of a schedule)

Big_Mac

Sounds nice, market area in the middle of Sligo 'City'. I think its fair to say we are all in agreement then; feck the chamber of commerce and bring argos to town!

elshambo

Xiney wrote: »

I think the supermarkets should stay in the city centre, for what of those of us who don't drive?

I do think the city centre should be pedestrianised though. The reliance on the automobile in Sligo Town is just ridiculous - and unsustainable. But the public transport isn't there (or at least it doesn't run on any semblance of a schedule)

Chalk it down! +old people etc, as a foot soilder myself i like those shops being in town, however Aldi or the 2nd lidl should not have been blocked one of them should/could be up in the park that has Harry Corry, pc world etc

For the size of the town i think the buses are very good, as for the time keeping of the buses, they have to deal with the traffic just like anyone else,
When o'Connell st was pedestrianised it made it a lot harder for them to get around town, i know anytime ive had to do the one side of town to other trip, it takes a lot longer than it used to

easkey

mcgowan.b wrote: »

Sounds nice, market area in the middle of Sligo 'City'. I think its fair to say we are all in agreement then; feck the chamber of commerce and bring argos to town!

YES feck them:pac::pac::pac::pac:

tuppence

Is this evidence of mass hyseria? :eek:
It used to be moving statues now its the "A" word! :eek::eek:
Will someone just throw a bucket of cold water over the whole thread.:D:D:D
Anyway, Oh ye of little faith do ye not know Ikea is the one true shop. *








Haralding repeated threads about Ikea into nauseum:D:eek:

il gatto

starbelgrade wrote: »

Sandwich boards & purty dresses... sounds like the Patricks Day parade all over again.

It's also worth noting that the objections of the Chambers do have a basis in the Sligo & Environs Development Plan which restricts retail warehousing to "selling truly bulky goods (furniture, carpets, bulky electrical goods, gardening goods, DIY items)" and restricts the sale of "grocery & food items, footwear, clothing, books, magazines, mobile phones, music, toiletries, cosmetics, artists materials, jewellery, gifts, china & leather goods".

This is to "limit the impact on the vitality & viability of the city centre".

Sounds like a very specific list. Almost like they had it dictated to them;) In the last month, I've visited the retail park several times and have bought such bulky items as a frying pan, a saucepan, two memory sticks (one of them a gift,of sorts:eek:), a book, RAM for the P.C., a bulky toaster and china. If I'd known how many laws (read: absurd over regulation) I'd broken, I'd have handed myself over to the Co.Co. or Chamber, or whoever is responsible for punishing such criminal, inappropriate and indescriminate spending. I'm ashamed of myself:rolleyes:

tuppence

il gatto wrote: »

Sounds like a very specific list. Almost like they had it dictated to them;) In the last month, I've visited the retail park several times and have bought such bulky items as a frying pan, a saucepan, two memory sticks (one of them a gift,of sorts:eek:), a book, RAM for the P.C., a bulky toaster and china. If I'd known how many laws (read: absurd over regulation) I'd broken, I'd have handed myself over to the Co.Co. or Chamber, or whoever is responsible for punishing such criminal, inappropriate and indescriminate spending. I'm ashamed of myself:rolleyes:

Maybe you should have a word with Declan Bree on that . *
Doh!




*sound man declan

Big_Mac

Erm......I've also bought a.....Memory Stick, and (gulp) 'Leather Goods' sofa......... oh my god :eek: I'm a criminal!!!!!!!!

Is there anyone else out there whom is gulity of perpetrating similar illicit crimes?
Il Gatto, as we are law abiting citizens perhaps we are duty bound to do the dutiful thing and hand ourselves over to the full rigours of the law for punishment, or maybe we can canvas people and set up a criminal orginasation; we can call it 'The General....Public':D:D:D

TequilaMockingBird

Ok, ok I put my hands up. I bought a mug. Yeah, just one.

I thought I could get away with it because I used one of the massive trolleys to bring it to the car...

I'M SORRRYY.....

Big_Mac

I can hear the news already............. 'Criminal activities in the masses in Sligo.........Taking trade from the chamber members....... File has been sent to the DPP':)

starbelgrade

starbelgrade wrote: »

the Sligo & Environs Development Plan which restricts the sale of "grocery & food items,

Next time I'm up at KFC, I'm ordering a pallet load of chicken.

Culchie

starbelgrade wrote: »

Next time I'm up at KFC, I'm ordering a pallet load of chicken.

You'll be looking in the wrong place for real chicken:D

Radharc na Sleibhte

I was up in KFC last week and they had no chicken.
I thought he was joking, so I just laughed and continued with my order.
He had to stop me and say, seriously, no chicken today.

Gillie

MikeySligo wrote: »

I was up in KFC last week and they had no chicken.
I thought he was joking, so I just laughed and continued with my order.
He had to stop me and say, seriously, no chicken today.

Oh sweet Jesus!:eek: