Another Building Closed! Halifax Closure - West Street

Biggins

Halifax closure is coming soon to West St.
Anyone got an account there better get their money out now or later it might be a bigger pain to recuperate.
News story HERE.

That will make it up to 20+ buildings closed now in West St alone.

Fingers Mcginty

Biggins wrote: »

That will make it up to 20+ buildings closed now in West St alone.

Really? :eek: I know Tully's is gone and a few others but 20? I have to say Me and the family were frequent west St shoppers but since the 2 retail parks arrived and also factoring in that dreadful traffic system in the town we rarely see West St anymore. Sad really.

Biggins

Fingers Mcginty wrote: »

Really? :eek: I know Tully's is gone and a few others but 20? I have to say Me and the family were frequent west St shoppers but since the 2 retail parks arrived and also factoring in that dreadful traffic system in the town we rarely see West St any more. Sad really.

Aye 20+
I'm currently working on an article and photographed (so far) the number of shops/businesses closed down and/or crying out for to be used, in west st and a few that are closing soon.
I started in West st at one end and worked my way over to the other end.
The numbers soon added up. For example:

Right part just closed up and covered over


Three in one go!


What was "Jumpin' Jacks"


...and beside it.




Another double




Not including the closed shops in the alley beside it!


Going...




A double








More below...

Biggins

More:



Previous bank closed (building now empty)








Thats 23 by my count.

...and thats not including now the Halifax, and others I might have missed.
All buildings being wasted. ...And that's just West St!
(...and I've strictly not counted the small shops in alleyways directly on West st)

What used to be "Callans computers" and is now a book shop, I hope also lasts but I'm doubtful.
That might be another before the end of the year.
I know one of the discount shops is closing soon too so that will bring the total up so far for West St to 25!

phantom_lord

Biggins wrote: »

Anyone got an account there better get their money out now or later it might be a bigger pain to recuperate.

no need for that kind of scaremongering! people's deposits are safe for sure.

phantom_lord

pretty surprised @ shooters. when did that happen?

Biggins

phantom_lord wrote: »

no need for that kind of scaremongering! people's deposits are safe for sure.

Absolutely.
They are just making it a bit of a pain to get later though.
Thats ALL.

phantom_lord wrote: »

pretty surprised @ shooters. when did that happen?

"Shooters" not closed.
The shop beside it is and "Shooters" have just boarded over it.
They were doing the building a favour. It was a run-down eyesore.

phantom_lord

ah ok. i had always thought they had expanded into that.

Biggins

phantom_lord wrote: »

ah ok. i had always thought they had expanded into that.

We might have too many pubs as it is anyway but I hope they all stay open if only for the staff's sake.
Lord knows there is feck all to go to, if any more businesses close (and I know of more elsewhere going, one in stockwell st closing shortly).

drogsnookerclub

The landlords of these empty shops need to drop the rent to very little and let businesses build up, it could work out for them in the long run and no use to them empty

drogsnookerclub

See they are putting art displays in all the empty shops on West Street, rte are coming down to video it as well

Biggins

drogsnookerclub wrote: »

See they are putting art displays in all the empty shops on West Street, rte are coming down to video it as well

They are also coming down to record my wife and a group pole dancing for "Operation Transformation" on a Wed' night soon.
At least the street might look a bit better than just a lot of boarding, with some pictures on display.

calex71

Biggins wrote: »

They are also coming down to record my wife and a group pole dancing for "Operation Transformation" on a Wed' night soon.
At least the street might look a bit better than just a lot of boarding, with some pictures on display.

:eek: will keep eyes peeled for Mrs. Biggins

Eurovision going? I know they where not even in the same league as extravision, but still a little surprised.

That shooters place looks like a right tacky hole, when did it change from O Shea's

The Weavers has been closed long before the current difficulties , and for reasons I will not speculate on here about.

See that place that replaced Hollywood West is gone , no loss , ah hollywood west those were the days. Is the place where the 4 lanterns used be still going?

It's absolutely tragic the way west street is, was over there last saturday morning. Even the market was quiet when i went up that way. Scotch hall isn't escaping either, I see they have plaster boarded over some of the empty units and the new part doesn't seem to be progressing very quickly, sure if they can't fill the existing one what chance have they got with an extension.

Is Mc Alistairs still there? I was glad to see man's world was still there opposite dunnes, hopefully they can keep going. Always had great service there.

drogsnookerclub

i was in mcalisters the other day and it seemed quite busy so hopefully its doing well

osheas changed to shooters a few months ago, already on its way out by the looks of it

whelan1

when did mc donagh shoes close

calex71

whelan1 wrote: »

when did mc donagh shoes close

After christmas i think they are over at scotch hall now.

Fingers Mcginty

God how times have changed ...The Weavers used to be a real happenin place. Why did they change it

whelan1

calex71 wrote: »

After christmas i think they are over at scotch hall now.

could have sworn they where open last thurs when i went to the westcourt

Biggins

Fingers Mcginty wrote: »

God how times have changed ...The Weavers used to be a real happenin place. Why did they change it

Successive owners coming along and wanting to stamp their mark on it.
As a consequence, the place lost its original charm, warmth, got more wider and more open spaced. It got worse and worse with each next owner.

The present female owner lives in one of the estates on the Dublin Rd and is stuck with it.

calex71

Whats your article for Biggins by the way ?

Biggins

calex71 wrote: »

Whats your article for Biggins by the way ?

One of the websites that I run. "Death Of The High-street" is the current working title.
...wait and see, the Leader or the D.I. might jump in and try and scoop me! LOL

Fingers Mcginty

Biggins I'd be interested in reading that...mind posting a link when complete?

calex71

Biggins wrote: »

the Leader or the D.I. might jump in and try and scoop me! LOL

Highly likely i would think given the Leader's affection for the growing up in Drogheda thread

borderlinemeath

I work in one of the retail parks and the sucess of these is down to the exodus of shoppers from West St.
As a shopper, I used to like West St, it had everything nearby but when the redevelopment and roadworks started it was an absolute disaster for it.
I for one refused to sit in traffic for half an hour to get from one end of the street to the next to try and get to the car park and pay for the priviledge.
Now it's up to the retail parks or Tescos, lots of parking available, no parking tickets, no hassle.
The only time I venture down to West St now is to go to the bank or Penneys, although given time they'll probably move out as well.

drogsnookerclub

Id say they would've killed it anyway, whoever it is that gives permission to all these retail parks and shopping centers are the ones to blame in my opinion(county councils?)

They're not gonna go anywhere either so hopefully the rent in the town drops so low that new and interesting shops start to fill the streets

borderlinemeath

drogsnookerclub wrote: »

Id say they would've killed it anyway, whoever it is that gives permission to all these retail parks and shopping centers are the ones to blame in my opinion(county councils?)

They're not gonna go anywhere either so hopefully the rent in the town drops so low that new and interesting shops start to fill the streets

Retail parks are everywhere, with the majority of tenants selling bulky goods that are unsuitable for high streets anyway.
West Streets demise can only be partly blamed on the retail parks.
High rents/rent legislation (only recently changed this month) bad traffic management (on top of the ridiculous and expensive redevelopment), and the high unemployment rate in Drogheda is not helping matters.

positron

I think it's all about money really - as in, money to the decision makers!

The timing of the unnecessary complicated double round-about coinciding with the opening of the South Gate was one that even a 5 year old can put 1 + 1 together. I feel a lot of such 'convenient decisions' were made about the West Street re-development, re-re-development etc, especially during the peak shopping season of the year.

Call me conspiracy-theorist or whatever, it's all clear as a day to me really! :cool:

borderlinemeath

positron wrote: »

I think it's all about money really - as in, money to the decision makers!

The timing of the unnecessary complicated double round-about coinciding with the opening of the South Gate was one that even a 5 year old can put 1 + 1 together. I feel a lot of such 'convenient decisions' were made about the West Street re-development, re-re-development etc, especially during the peak shopping season of the year.

Call me conspiracy-theorist or whatever, it's all clear as a day to me really! :cool:

As a resident on Beabeg Rd (the road just past the old Europa Hotel heading for Duleek) I was delighted that the double roundabout is finally in place.
To get out of my road turning right onto the Dublin Rd used to be a nightmare. As I'm sure it was for Grange Rath residents turning up towards Drogheda. I regularly had to turn left and then do a U-turn at the road leading into Grange Rath to access the Dublin Road.
Not only was it very difficult but very dangerous as cars used to speed up and down the Dublin Road at far higher speeds than the 60km per hour limit that was in place there.
So as unnecessary and complicated it may be to you, it is of great benefit to me.:)

positron

Oh I totally understand, and the round about is certainly the right thing, no question about that!

But why was it not done for years, and then done just in time for the shopping center, and why was it not done a bit wider is all I that annoys me! It's just too narrow in the middle!

borderlinemeath

It could be double the size, bad drivers cut lanes on all roundabouts!!
I was cut off today, indicating right on the second (more southerly) roundabout and a big merc on my outside just barged into my lane and cut me off - probably thought I wanted to get in front of him onto the Dublin Rd!

calex71

The retail parks have some ok shops, and are definitely the right place for stores selling white goods / electricals . Just wish the like of heatons were actually in the town rather than out where they are. But I don't think the retail parks are really to blame for the demise of west st. I really couldn't envisage 90% of the shops out in them being on west st. or anywhere down town, with the exception of scotch hall or the laurance centre.

Does the laurance centre do well? I always forget it's there when I'm in town, was in shaws there at xmas and found it to be ridiculously over priced.

The redevelopment of West st was an absolute farce, I'd nearly go as far as saying criminal :mad: Agree that there were some awful traffic problems but look at what we are left with after all that.

Fingers Mcginty

calex71 wrote: »

was in shaws there at xmas and found it to be ridiculously over priced.

.

Agreed

Darksaga87

The town center is going the way of the abby now, its such a shame, the TC was an amzing place back in the day.

I was never fussed on the abby, but man is it deppressing to walk through it now.

eth0_

drogsnookerclub wrote: »

They're not gonna go anywhere either so hopefully the rent in the town drops so low that new and interesting shops start to fill the streets

Sure they've already done so. The Abbey centre is so desperate they're renting units for 80-100 a week!

I personally have avoided West Street for a long time. It's just depressing. There is such a lack of civic pride in this town; the buildings in West Street are just left to go to seed - and i'm talking about the ones that are occupied! Filthy, feeling paint, rotting windows, cheap and tacky shopfronts.

I'm sure the Laurence centre and Scotch Hall have a large part to play in West Street's demise; for instance, women would rather go to Clarks/Topshop/Newlook/River Island etc in S. Hall if they want to buy shoes rather than go to Eagletons or Tullys.

I'm shocked Tully's managed to hold on for so long. They probably could have survived if they'd gotten some buyers in who are actually in touch with their customers. Their stock was always pretty naff and old-fashioned, not to mention over-priced.

drogsnookerclub

Those bollards the whole way down west st look shocking, bugs the life outta me

Darksaga87

West street is mad ugly since it was "done up"..

eth0_

As the saying goes.."you can't polish a turd".

No matter how pretty they made the street itself, the buildings on it still look shocking.

calex71

One thing from passing through the Abbey Centre there recently , has anyone noticed it still has it's abbey centre smell? not a bad smell at all just a smell it's always had, put a smile on my face till i realised the state of the place.

eth0_

Yep, a musty, mold/dry rot smell.

Apparently the woman who owns the Abbey centre was offered millions for the site a few years ago. Bet she's kicking herself now!

calex71

Ventured though the abbey yesterday again , and there is a cafe prepping to open in place of mildred's (sp). Are they insane???????????????? Mildred's was an institution of old and of it's time, thye'll be lucky to get abbey staff on breaks in there in this climate :eek:

zen15

I was in Drogheda on Friday stuck in the traffic of west street eventually parked on the quays , 3 wardens patroling the streets and another 2 at scotch hall , ( I know their part of the harbour commisioners) but still for a town that is dying ,it is over the top.
The council should be encouraging people to shop in it, not drive them away , anyway got a ticket and thought I might as well pay it now as I won't be back to shop here again , went to the council office to pay and and asked the women behind the counter, why was the town was so anti car .... she smirked and shrugged
so the next person who says to me " Don't be shopping in the north , give it to the shops here" , I'll just wave me parking ticket at them on the way to Newry..
An before someone says the obvious , well most of the shops in the town do have a connection to local town councillors , and if they can't be arsed speaking for them selfs , they only have them selves to blame for the death of the town

borderlinemeath

zen15 wrote: »

I was in Drogheda on Friday stuck in the traffic of west street eventually parked on the quays , 3 wardens patroling the streets and another 2 at scotch hall , ( I know their part of the harbour commisioners) but still for a town that is dying ,it is over the top.
The council should be encouraging people to shop in it, not drive them away , anyway got a ticket and thought I might as well pay it now as I won't be back to shop here again , went to the council office to pay and and asked the women behind the counter, why was the town was so anti car .... she smirked and shrugged
so the next person who says to me " Don't be shopping in the north , give it to the shops here" , I'll just wave me parking ticket at them on the way to Newry..
An before someone says the obvious , well most of the shops in the town do have a connection to local town councillors , and if they can't be arsed speaking for them selfs , they only have them selves to blame for the death of the town

I have to agree about the harbour traffic wardens, they are OTT. I parked up one day only to realise I had little or no change, but I made up €1.30 (minimum amount) but it included some copper coin (which isn't accepted in the machines. )
One of the wardens was emptying the machine and I asked him if he would change the coppers for me so I could get a ticket. He refused point blank (even though he was emptying a load of coin out of the machine) so I told him that I'm going to run into the nearest shop to get the correct change for the machine. I was gone less than 2 mins and he had ticketed me, even though I told him I was getting the correct change for his effing machine! Grrrrr.
The town traffic wardens are bad, but nothing like the harbour nazis.:mad:

The Davestator

borderlinemeath wrote: »

I have to agree about the harbour traffic wardens, they are OTT. I parked up one day only to realise I had little or no change, but I made up €1.30 (minimum amount) but it included some copper coin (which isn't accepted in the machines. )
One of the wardens was emptying the machine and I asked him if he would change the coppers for me so I could get a ticket. He refused point blank (even though he was emptying a load of coin out of the machine) so I told him that I'm going to run into the nearest shop to get the correct change for the machine. I was gone less than 2 mins and he had ticketed me, even though I told him I was getting the correct change for his effing machine! Grrrrr.
The town traffic wardens are bad, but nothing like the harbour nazis.:mad:

Exact same thing happened to me, but I had a brainwave!

If you get a ticket, just wait around for a person coming back to their car, ask them for their ticket, and once its timed before your ticket, you go to the office and tell them that they're dic*head warden cant even do his job and the ticket was there all along! Has worked for me twice (now i just buy a ticket)!

rugbyman

borderlinemeath wrote: »

I have to agree about the harbour traffic wardens, they are OTT. I parked up one day only to realise I had little or no change, but I made up €1.30 (minimum amount) but it included some copper coin (which isn't accepted in the machines. )
One of the wardens was emptying the machine and I asked him if he would change the coppers for me so I could get a ticket. He refused point blank (even though he was emptying a load of coin out of the machine) so I told him that I'm going to run into the nearest shop to get the correct change for the machine. I was gone less than 2 mins and he had ticketed me, even though I told him I was getting the correct change for his effing machine! Grrrrr.
The town traffic wardens are bad, but nothing like the harbour nazis.:mad:

If that story is true, small number of minutes, write to the Town Clerk.(assuming you still have the ticket, but write evenif you dont). You may well be let off.
Rugbyman

positron

I have had the "pleasure" of meeting one such fine specimen myself, I think he works for the harbour (across the quays from Scotch Hall).

I had arranged to pick up my other half there, and it was around 9:15 am and the whole parking lot was free, except for one car at the other end. I pulled in there, turned off the engine, picked up the phone to see where she is, and she is walking towards the car on the other side. I start the car, and look up to see this man standing in front of the car, ready to take down the number! I don't know where he came from, but when he realised I am moving out, he stood there looking at me with utter disgust, shaking his head side to size and muttering expletives. I turned off the car and went out and asked politely, what was wrong? He immediately started shouting at me that "this is no f*cking free car park, and you don't have a f*cking ticket, and you are f*cking asking me what's wrong?". I was totally taken back, but I said "I am leaving now. But I will pay for parking anyway, but only if you have behave more professionally or nicely"! Probably not the cleverest thing to say, it totally wound him up and started shouting more expletives at the top of the voice.

At this stage, my other half was already in the car, so I just laughed at him and drove off! I just hope the blood pressure I gave him didn't kill him!!

event

€1.30 an hour is a disgrace anyway

calex71

positron wrote: »

I have had the "pleasure" of meeting one such fine specimen myself, I think he works for the harbour (across the quays from Scotch Hall).

I had arranged to pick up my other half there, and it was around 9:15 am and the whole parking lot was free, except for one car at the other end. I pulled in there, turned off the engine, picked up the phone to see where she is, and she is walking towards the car on the other side. I start the car, and look up to see this man standing in front of the car, ready to take down the number! I don't know where he came from, but when he realised I am moving out, he stood there looking at me with utter disgust, shaking his head side to size and muttering expletives. I turned off the car and went out and asked politely, what was wrong? He immediately started shouting at me that "this is no f*cking free car park, and you don't have a f*cking ticket, and you are f*cking asking me what's wrong?". I was totally taken back, but I said "I am leaving now. But I will pay for parking anyway, but only if you have behave more professionally or nicely"! Probably not the cleverest thing to say, it totally wound him up and started shouting more expletives at the top of the voice.

At this stage, my other half was already in the car, so I just laughed at him and drove off! I just hope the blood pressure I gave him didn't kill him!!

I wonder if this warden would be surprised if he got beaten up

I mean I genuinely fear for his safety, with an attitude like that it's only a matter of time if it hasn't happened already, mind you if it was a man I doubt he'd have been so overtly nasty :mad:

Darksaga87

positron wrote: »

I have had the "pleasure" of meeting one such fine specimen myself, I think he works for the harbour (across the quays from Scotch Hall).

I had arranged to pick up my other half there, and it was around 9:15 am and the whole parking lot was free, except for one car at the other end. I pulled in there, turned off the engine, picked up the phone to see where she is, and she is walking towards the car on the other side. I start the car, and look up to see this man standing in front of the car, ready to take down the number! I don't know where he came from, but when he realised I am moving out, he stood there looking at me with utter disgust, shaking his head side to size and muttering expletives. I turned off the car and went out and asked politely, what was wrong? He immediately started shouting at me that "this is no f*cking free car park, and you don't have a f*cking ticket, and you are f*cking asking me what's wrong?". I was totally taken back, but I said "I am leaving now. But I will pay for parking anyway, but only if you have behave more professionally or nicely"! Probably not the cleverest thing to say, it totally wound him up and started shouting more expletives at the top of the voice.

At this stage, my other half was already in the car, so I just laughed at him and drove off! I just hope the blood pressure I gave him didn't kill him!!

Everyone i know, including myself, has had run ins with this fool, is a complete knob, and ive heard that behind the sound shop he got a pretty good beating

I was walking by there the other day and some guy had got out of the car to go to the meter to put money in it and the guy had already started wrighting the ticket, the other lad exploded! "get the **** away from that car!! ill smash your ****in face in!!"

The warden nearly **** his pants and started stuttering trying to act hard.

other guy: "Dont you even attempt to talk to me, now **** off!!"

the meter guy walked off shaking.

I laughed:D

Its also a known fact around there that he put a ticket on an ambulance.:eek:

Im sure the other guy has had run ins with him before and knew how to talk to him. AKA: scare the life out of him.

whelan1

event wrote: »

€1.30 an hour is a disgrace anyway

i am always amazed when i go to ardee and i think its 30 cent an hour 2 euro will do you for the whole day:D

borderlinemeath

rugbyman wrote: »

If that story is true, small number of minutes, write to the Town Clerk.(assuming you still have the ticket, but write evenif you dont). You may well be let off.
Rugbyman

I did! On the appeal form there is a section that you can tick saying "getting change" I also spoke about the behaviour of the nazi on duty stating that he refused to change legal euro tender to facilitate me using the machine but got no apology only confirmation that my appeal had been sucessful and I did not have to pay the fine.:)

borderlinemeath

event wrote: »

€1.30 an hour is a disgrace anyway

It's a disgrace when you can park around the corner for 10mins and it only costs 20c as there's no minimum amount on Drogheda council meters.:mad: