Recession Galway

d-gal

Just wondering has anyone really noticed the recession in Galway?
Shop street is always busy, pubs and clubs are packed (weekends anyways) and I don't know many people that have lost their job (besides the over-extravagant builder!)
I initially thought as a personal trainer that my job would be affected but it seems it has not with business still good. Sure one or two of my clients has the odd complaint but nothing they can't put their head down and work thru.
So my question, is it all a bit hyped for the average person?

galwayrush

The way the banks are behaving, they will make sure that anybody not experiencing the recession yet will do so very soon.:mad:

Karl Hungus

Well, a recession isn't exactly an instant thing, it's not as if the shops and pubs were going to be deserted overnight, it's something that'll take a long time to feel the effects of.

JohnCleary

Haven't noticed this 'resession' in Galway at all tbh. I was asking myself this very question only a few weeks ago when I was in various pub's/clubs over weekends and couldn't move it was so busy! Resession my hole

Personally hasn't affected me tbh. (Either work wise or living wise) - Then again, my simple ethos is I never buy luxury items on credit and have to date never had a loan from a bank (Obviously when it comes mortgage time etc. things will change) so no sweat pumping from me atm

Shryke

I've noticed it. It hasn't affected my earnings though. This time of year is pretty good for money where I am but when new year rolls round who knows.

extraice

fuel price are the hightest in Ireland and drink hotels rip off , your all rich there in Galway , recession pub packed shop tills ring at the weekend i was there ,

God i love to have money that the west has .

ScumLord

I saw a load of it outside Tuam and some washed up on silver strand last week.

Sea Devils

TBH haven't noticed it at all

futura123

shop street is busy but are people spending?? i think from the new year we will see the effects of recession on our spending habits. compared to this time last year ive tightened the purse strings and lookin where savings can be made.

galwayrush

We'll probably see more of the effects by next march when credit card payments for the Xmas period start to go into arrears.:rolleyes:

Mrs OBumble

Just to buck the trend, I have.

The multi-national I was working for didn't renew contracts for a number of fixed-term people (including me) at the end of their financial year (31 October). While officially it's because there was no budget for the specific projects, the economic issues in the US had a lot to do with this.

There are very few actual job vacancies. Some temporary McJobs/Chirstmas fillins etc yes (though my perception is fewer than last year), but very very few "career" type jobs. Many of the larger IT-ish companies have hiring-freezes on, at least officially. Some that are doing a little hiring despite the freezes, but nothing like as usual. (Yes, the recruitment sites are full of listings, but these aren't "live", they're just to get CVs in, just in case.)

Cafes where I was buying coffee and pubs where I was drinking may not have specifically noticed that I'm either not going at all, or only having one of the cheapest drink they have. I'm sure that the restaurants where I was taking my partner for a nice meal every payday haven't missed me specifically, 'cos we went somewhere different every month. But I'm sure I'm not the only one who's made cuts like this, and put together they must hurt.

The pubs may be busy when most boards.ie folks are there, but they're a lot quieter during the day and early evening. This is confirmed by figures (eg number of kegs arriving) I've heard from friends who work in a couple of pubs.

The free concerts that were popping up in St Nicholas's church last year (mainly touring American college groups) aren't happening.

There are a lot more Irish people shopping in Lidl and Aldi than there were 12 months ago.

The friars from the Augustinian church live opposite the dole office. Their newsletter last weekend commented that the size of the queue is visibly growing week by week (and that's with new claims having to "sign-on" weekly at local post offices instead of the welfare office).

A friend who's working in a multi-national said that their big-boss has given very dire warnings that things will be a lot, lot worse next year, when the effects of the overall slow-down have impacted new projects (that would be buying gear next year, for example). The word was "you may think it's bad now, but you ain't seen nothing yet".

A few weeks ago, a driving instructor picked me up from the city centre at 7am. He commented that two years ago, the streets were buzzing at that time of day with builders picking up their labourers from all over the place. Almost none of that now.

... enough already! IMHO very important that we don't talk things down too much ... the modern economy is based mainly on confidence!

leninbenjamin

anyone who hasn't noticed anything yet must have a serious vision impairment. if you're a driver, you'd best head down to the local optician and get them tested.

futura123

leninbenjamin wrote: »

anyone who hasn't noticed anything yet must have a serious vision impairment. if you're a driver, you'd best head down to the local optician and get them tested.

i wholeheartedly agree, galway is a shadow of its 2006 self

m83

In terms of manufacturing, Galway has been hit very hard and it's only going to get worse in the new year.

SimpleSam06

JustMary wrote: »

There are very few actual job vacancies.

Bingo, there are now two or three employed people for every one signing the dole in this city. Countrywide, 100,000 people have joined the dole in the last year, or three hundred people a day. Lots of these "wut recession" threads are students who have yet to look for a job.

JustMary wrote: »

... enough already! IMHO very important that we don't talk things down too much ... the modern economy is based mainly on confidence!

The modern economy is based on a strong domestic manufacturing base which exports out of the country, see for reference the largest exporter on earth, Germany, or the fourth largest, Japan. Confidence is only important when you are trying to sell people fresh air, as in a "knowledge economy", a mostly English-speaking world phenomenon, with a few notable exceptions, see for reference Iceland.

galwaybabe

The main thing I've noticed is there is much less traffic, in particular builder's vans and lackagh cement lorrys.

cornbb

A big difference I've noticed is the reluctance people have to let go of their jobs. A couple of years ago a lot of my friends wouldn't think twice about packing in the job, whether to go travelling or to find another job somewhere down the line. Now a decent job is something to hold onto, if you know what I mean. I sound like my grandparents

Apparently pubs actually tend to do better during recessions, or so I heard.

cuculainn

It will be this time next year before the full effects ofn the recession are felt

KevR

Although I don't personally know anyone who has lost their job because of the recession, I do have a friend who just came finished college last May and he hasn't been able to find a job to date.

As for pubs being busy still - the pub that I sometimes go to for a drink is still always packed, which maybe explains why the people running the pub were able to justify a price increase in a pint from 4.50euro to 4.60euro. For me personally, 4.60euro is pushing it a bit and I might end up taking my custom elsewhere.

I would say a lot of people in Galway are being a bit more careful with how they spend their money and to be honest I don't think that's any harm because some people had lost the run of themselves altogether..

galah

One thing I noticed is a lot more Irish people working jobs that were previously done by mostly Eastern Europeans - cashiers in Aldi and Lidl and other shops, bar staff, restaurant staff - it's interesting!

galvianlord

Jeez for a while there I thought people lived in a completely different place! Galway has been hit badly by the recession so far and as things get worse it is in prime place to be one of hardest hit cities in the country.

I totally agree with some of the anecdotal comments earlier, particularly with regard to the queue at the social welfare office. Walk by there every morning and it is getting longer and bigger anytime they are opening for business.

Discretionary spending is definitely on the decline. I have a few friends who work in a salon in town. They have been put on three day weeks and their more lucrative offers, laser treatment and **** like that are no longer been used. I guess there is only so long you can survive on nails and fake tan.

Small business owners that i would know are also in the merde, for a variety of reasons. they may have overextended themselves and now find it hard to access credit and the banks arent exactly the samaritans at times like this.

Charities are also being hard hit. Events are poorly subscribed to now and the old faithful auction is nearly a thing of the past as all the flash harrys dont have the cash to throw around anymore.

Hotels are finding it harder to survive, the domestic leisure market has collapsed so they are limited in the guests they can expect. Despite the more outlandish rumours you here from time to time there may well be some truth in the proposition of hotel closures in Galway City and County over the next six months. Pubs and Clubs are hardly the best economic indicators, but people like to drink to forget at times and they maybe busier as people brush their worries under the carpet. Read somewhere a month or so ago that in times of recession champagne sales go up...

It's a wait and see thing how the shops in town will do for Xmas; Shop St and William St can always be busy with pedestrians but its safe to say only a small minority are actually spending.

As the recession takes greater hold and unless some miraculous things happen Galway may well be quite the depressing place for the next 12 months are so.

mikemac

cornbb wrote: »

Apparently pubs actually tend to do better during recessions, or so I heard.

Cinemas do extremely well in tough times.


Expect them to get busier for sure

mikemac

galvianlord wrote: »

.

It's a wait and see thing how the shops in town will do for Xmas; Shop St and William St can always be busy with pedestrians but its safe to say only a small minority are actually spending.

I saw a retail expert on TV walk around a shopping centre. This could be bollix but he said 1 ot of 6 people in a shopping area carrying a shops bag is normal.
In recent years they've seen 1 in 4 and currently it's one in 10. Yes, someone actually checks this

Shop St will always be busy, doesn't mean the shops are making many sales

galvianlord

micmclo wrote: »

I saw a retail expert on TV walk around a shopping centre. This could be bollix but he said 1 ot of 6 people in a shopping area carrying a shops bag is normal.
In recent years they've seen 1 in 4 and currently it's one in 10. Yes, someone actually checks this

Shop St will always be busy, doesn't mean the shops are making many sales

It also doesnt help that Galway lags behind places like Limerick and Athlone when it come to choice in retailers, particularly clothing. I know people who prefer to head to Athlone to shop than Galway because of the wider choice on offer in the new centre there. And that is not meant to demean Galway's independent traders...it's just a fact that means Galway is hemorrhaging retail sales to other Irish towns if and when people spend!

Fey!

Retail is a lot quieter than the previous few years. As for huge crowds "shopping" in town, have a look and see how many people are carrying shopping bags (and what proportion of the bags you see are from Easons).

I know several people who have been made redundant. One of them only got 30 minutes notice before the liquidators came into the factory he worked in.

Robbo

The Rahoon flats are to be put back up to accommodate all those who can no longer afford the mortgage on their gerry-built "starter home" in a car park on the Western Distributor Road.

Toasted Heretic are to go back on tour.

Shop Street is to be opened to traffic again and pay and display parking will be phased out in favour of scratch-n-sniff parking discs.

galvianlord

Robbo wrote: »

The Rahoon flats are to be put back up to accommodate all those who can no longer afford the mortgage on their gerry-built "starter home" in a car park on the Western Distributor Road.

Toasted Heretic are to go back on tour.

Shop Street is to be opened to traffic again and pay and display parking will be phased out in favour of scratch-n-sniff parking discs.

ah my childhood.....make it mandatory for everyone to wear brown and grey (in different shades of the same) again!

AvrilLavigne

d-gal wrote: »

pubs and clubs are packed

You can't have a recession without a session!

galwaybabe

Another thing I've noticed is that there are a lot more folk hanging around town to have a coffee with in the day. Reminds me of the early nineties.

AvrilLavigne

galwaybabe wrote: »

Another thing I've noticed is that there are a lot more folk hanging around town to have a coffee with in the day. Reminds me of the early nineties.

See you in Arabica on merchants road @ 1.15! :eek:

Fey!

AvrilLavigne wrote: »

See you in Arabica on merchants road @ 1.15! :eek:

I'm in Arabica now trying to get a glimpse of you and GalwayBabe (I'm the fella in the corner in the dirty mac, staring into my coffee).

wanted to see if you looked as tough as you talk!!!

ScumLord

The pubs in my town are dieing a slow death, they raised the price to €4.30 and that's it for me. They can shove their pricey pints up their fat holes.

Why should I pay 3 times the cost to sit in a boring pub, listening to **** music or watching crap on a tv that I could watch at home?

There's no value in rural pubs anymore. City pubs can start doing food and coffee but these guys can't (or probably couldn't be arsed).

KevR

galvianlord wrote: »

It also doesnt help that Galway lags behind places like Limerick and Athlone when it come to choice in retailers, particularly clothing. I know people who prefer to head to Athlone to shop than Galway because of the wider choice on offer in the new centre there. And that is not meant to demean Galway's independent traders...it's just a fact that means Galway is hemorrhaging retail sales to other Irish towns if and when people spend!

Indeed! I know a few people who prefer Limerick or Athlone because of the improved choice in retailers.

I go to England a few times per year to visit family and friends and often get any clothes that I might need when I'm over there because there's a much better selcetion and it's cheaper than Galway..

Bass Cadet

d-gal wrote: »

Shop street is always busy, pubs and clubs are packed (weekends anyways)

certainly not on a Sunday anymore. Galway is like a ghost town on Sunday evenings/nights. There was a time when Sunday was busier than a Friday night in Galway imo

JohnCleary

Bass Cadet wrote: »

certainly not on a Sunday anymore. Galway is like a ghost town on Sunday evenings/nights. There was a time when Sunday was busier than a Friday night in Galway imo

That's cause everyone's in mass prayin'

100 jobs gone in Thermo King today.

I was in Dublin at the weekend and thought the same thing until I realised no-one was carrying bags and a lot were up for the rugby.

There are no jobs being advertised compared to year ago.

I think a lot of the most obvious shutdowns of shops etc won't happen until the new year - they are hanging on for the christmas sales.

quietobserver

just like the hymotist says, eyes open wide awake, it might not be effecting people but the effects of it are evident everywhere, look at all the newly finished property vacant, in some cases just the shells finished and no interiors( opposite Ceannt station for example)

things are slowing down, no harm, people need a reality check, was in argentina after the collapse of their economy, some of the nicest people and only a hole in their pocket. People have lost touch with what human nature is and accepting the man on the street as an equal, status in society went way out of control Galway and beyond.

Watch that reeling in the years, hard to look at memories of the 70's and 80's and not feel they were more human times. The roller coaster has to come to a hault. The revolution will not be televised!

Eurochild

Myself and the missus went for a quiet night out last night, went to Eddie Rockets in Wellpark where we were charged €30 for thoroughly mediocre food. We will not be eating there again (Scotties opposite GMIT do the same type of thing cheaper and much better). Went across to the Eye Cinema then only to be told we would have to pay €13.50 EACH to see our choice of movie (W) because it was on in the "luxury" screen. Considering the regular screens cost €7.25 each Mon-Thurs we balked at paying €27 for a night at the movies and went home instead. So much for our night out.

There's a lot of places which have had it far too soft during the boom years and if they don't get their act together they won't survive this recession.

SimpleSam06

micmclo wrote: »

Cinemas do extremely well in tough times.

I fear that was before the advent of limewire and whatnot. Expect them to be hit as hard as anyone. Actually the internet should have some fascinating effects on people's behaviours in this recession - legal or not, it offers vast archives of movies, music, games and entertainment (not to mention just plain old websiteslike boards) for basically free. I'm wondering will that exacerbate or help the situation.

quietobserver wrote: »

things are slowing down, no harm, people need a reality check, was in argentina after the collapse of their economy, some of the nicest people and only a hole in their pocket. People have lost touch with what human nature is and accepting the man on the street as an equal, status in society went way out of control Galway and beyond.

Watch that reeling in the years, hard to look at memories of the 70's and 80's and not feel they were more human times.

Oh yeah the gang activity was great, I still remember some of the innovations those muppets brought to the scientific field of street violence. Since they had no guns they taped two stanley knives together so the cuts couldn't be stitched. Ah them were the days, nothing like a bit of rampant poverty to bring people together.

The funniest thing I see these days actually is the price increases shops and businesses are levying. You'd think we were in boom part 2 the way they are cranking them up. I couldn't figure it out until it came to me - they are trying to make up the shortfall in sales by increasing prices. Ye gods. This is going to end well.

sgthighway

I have only stopped buying stuff I don't need by not going into a shop unless I need something - as in no looking around.

I reckon we will see the worse after Christmas.
I heard one of the Main Car Dealers for two different brands here in Galway has NO orders for new cars for the New Year so it might be a while before we see any 09 Gs.
I can see another Hotel or two close up even for a few months.
There will be less people going on sun holidays.
Sports Supporters might have to stop going to matches as its steep to go and see Soccer, Rugby & GAA for some.

SalthillGuy

Recession me arse......
Just walk down Quay St at the week-end and you will see the recession.
It will be over before we know it.
The pubs are still packed.

galwaybabe

SalthillGuy wrote: »

Recession me arse......
Just walk down Quay St at the week-end and you will see the recession.
It will be over before we know it.
The pubs are still packed.

i don't know which Quay Street you were walking down but the one i walked down on Sunday evening was a tumbleweed zone!

snubbleste

SalthillGuy wrote: »

Recession me arse......
Just walk down Quay St at the week-end and you will see the recession.
It will be over before we know it. The pubs are still packed.

Only because people are indulging in a government sanctioned drug en-masse :pac:

The new year is going to be bad. Lots of retail places will shut down / lay off workers once the cash cow that is Christmas is over.

Also those of us working will feel the pinch when those tax rises kick in in the January pay pack and there won't be many pay rises.

AvrilLavigne

SalthillGuy wrote: »

Recession me arse......

Keep your spirits up, I'm sure you'll find someone! :P

Maybe you should lower your prices?

sgthighway

I was in the Quays last Thursday night and it was dead. Buskers wasn't busy either.

Amazotheamazing

sgthighway wrote: »

Sports Supporters might have to stop going to matches as its steep to go and see Soccer, Rugby & GAA for some.

Reckon it could go the other way too though, a ticket to a Connacht or Galway united match will be more attractive since many can no afford to go to an International or a premiership game. Course, both Connacht and Galway still need to work on their product a good bit.

futura123

what about all these electrical / furniture stores?? how long can they last into 2009?

SalthillGuy

Those offering essential items will plough ahead and survive.
Those offering luxury items or expensive upgrades will bear the brunt of this.
I you choose to get into a business that is largely luxury, then you are taking a big risk.
I don't thjink it will last as long as some are predicting.
Property will suffer for 5 years+, because there is such an over supply.

JohnCleary

SalthillGuy wrote: »

Those offering essential items will plough ahead and survive.
Those offering luxury items or expensive upgrades will bear the brunt of this.
I you choose to get into a business that is largely luxury, then you are taking a big risk.
I don't thjink it will last as long as some are predicting.
Property will suffer for 5 years+, because there is such an over supply.

Pitty the majority of the over-supply are sh1te built houses in estates thrown up any sort of way at all.

While it's obvious property fullstop is taking a hit, decent (possibly 'one off') houses will suffer less I reckon, it's the one's that were thrown up overnight by sloppy builders that Mr. Joe Soap though he'd make a killing on as an investment that'll suffer

SalthillGuy

People (investors) also bough to rent.
Many were rented to the large numbers of foreigners who came here in search of work.
A lot of those have now gone back home and the houses are left empty.