Centra, Barnhill Stores, Dalkey extension!

patrickbrophy18

It was brought to my attention about two days ago that there has been uproar over the new extension to Marie's Centra at Barnhill Stores in Dalkey. Here is the newspaper article discussing the matter in question:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0302/1224265432954.html

I want to express how ridiculous the nature of these complaints are. First of all, the extension leads to a much higher level of customers which in turn creates additional employment. Secondly, the extension is only on the ground floor of the building. With the way in which the matter is being handled, you'd swear they were building some massive shopping complex or sky scraper. As well as this, I am glad to see some sort of change to the premises. In it's former glory, it was becoming quite claustrophobic. Like the objections to Starbucks, it just goes to show how people have to much time on their hands. Thirdly, I think Dalkey needs some sort of change or rejuvenation what ever it may be. It's getting to the stage where business in Dalkey is being dictated by locals which in turn impairs a lot of potential revenue. It's all part of the "local trade for local businesses" perception. This perception or philosophy is stupid and non-sensicle. As a person from Dalkey myself, it does my head in when my fellow Dalkey-ites treat or perceive local establishments as though they own the place. Sometimes, I think that people in Dalkey or indeed anywhere in Ireland become too sentimental. On a much larger scale, it is because of this sentimentality that the construction of the M50 got held up at Carrickmines.

Cookie_Monster

I'd make an issue with this only because the didn't bother with planning permission.

Fair play for extending the shop, which probably needed it but it should have been done legally with permission.





Mr Patton doesn't have a stake in it does he
"Lets do it even without permission, what are they going to do about it"

Wile E. Coyote

Whats ridiculous about the complaint? They put up an extension without planning permission and now may be forced to close because of it. If they'd gotten the permission in the beginning there wouldn't have been as issue. Or did they go ahead with it because they knew the permission wouldn't be granted?

Fratton Fred

The place amazes me, everytime I go in there it has gotten bigger!

Should have got planning permission thoguh.

Cookie_Monster

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

Or did they go ahead with it because they knew the permission wouldn't be granted?

I suspect this. The residents probably would have objected to the permission for whatever reason they have

Dempo1

Seems a little cheeky to me and based on photographs it does seem to be quite an extensive extension. While i do sympathize with any business trying to expand and develop business, surely the proprietors must have realized they were taking the piss a little. Originally from Cabinteely, i now live in Laois and you would not believe the extent people have to go to in order to get planning, A neighbor had to out a 20ft flag pole up on his site for six months and if no one objected to the flag permission would be granted. I kid you not! Admittedly is in a environmental park but this is one condition to far.

Bottom line however, permission was sought and granted, based on the photographs of this supermarket, it would have seemed more sensible to have obtained permission however perhaps they did and were refused? which make this an even more serious matter.

Paulgaskell

What is wrong with people do they not like to see businesses prosper in these times of resession, I have seen the building and to be quite honest it is an improvment to what was there for years, the shop was tiny you could never get everything you wanted as there was no space to keep stock,
Look at the eyesores around the city and suburbs which have got planning permission and some will never create jobs and have huge bills to the taxpayer for the upkeep ( the spike to name but one !!!) at least this business will create jobs and save people trying to shop in the village creating traffic chaos,
Probably would have been a good idea to get planning permission first but hindsight is a great thing,
Some grumpy little man prob didnt get his endaway and taking it out on first thing that annoys him,
Sad to say one voice could put so many people back on the dole queue,
Get over it and build this country back up again,
I am living close to the store and I can only see the benefits
Good luck to Maries stores
From a loyal customer

Cookie_Monster

actually since it been brought back up, anyone know whats happened to it?

SerialComplaint

Paulgaskell wrote: »

Probably would have been a good idea to get planning permission first but hindsight is a great thing,
Some grumpy little man prob didnt get his endaway and taking it out on first thing that annoys him,
Sad to say one voice could put so many people back on the dole queue,

This is nonsense. It isn't 'one voice' that stopped the shop using this illegal development. It is a long, arduous process of planning enforcement involving the local authority and the courts. If they want to expand their shop, then let them go through the same legal processes as their competitors go through. They shouldn't be able to get an edge on their competitors through illegal action.

Paulgaskell

Go through the proper process and you get screwed, friend applied for planning permission for a 3m by 6mshed in her back garden, well the amount of red tape between architects drawings and then has to pay a sum of €1650.00 to assist in the local area road network, if she had gone ahead and put the shed in without planning permission she would have saved a small fortune and a large amount of time,
How many people in the country apply for permission to put a shed in their back garden, my guess is its very very low,
As far as I am aware he will not have to close down buisness but just remove some of the roankabins,
Have a look at the photo that was in the independant and decide if you would prefer the new structures or two big ugly sheds that were there previously
It was only one person that objected to this and dragged a few more into it, possibly one of the large supermarkets in Dalkey wont mention names but you will find it under the tree haha
Fair play for him to stand up and fight for his buisiness !!!!!!!

SerialComplaint

I guess that one man's 'get screwed' is another man's due process. If she had gone ahead with her shed and it exceeded the permitted threshold, she would most likely have found herself on the wrong end of a council enforcement action, just like Centra.

Praetorian Saighdiuir

Its about time that that shop was revamped. I dont agree however with the way they went about it...rules are rules.

Does anyone remember the funky smell of the old shop????


twas stinkin twas.

patrickbrophy18

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

actually since it been brought back up, anyone know whats happened to it?

I was talking to someone who works there and he told me that they were temporarily scaling back the size of the store for 4 months. Afterwards, they will be reverting back to the larger size. It doesn't make that much sense. I know that the rules of planning application hadn't been followed which in hindsight was wrong. Nevertheless, it did generate more employment. The one problem that exists with the extension is the parking situation. What they should have done is bought one of the neighboring premises in the planning process(preferably the one to the right) and demolished it to make way for extra parking spaces. This would probably have made more sense given that the actual store space was being effectively tripled in it's size. Furthermore, if there was some slack remaining, it could be utilized as a storage and/or communal toilet facility.

While the village of Dalkey itself has been designated as an Architectural Conservation Area, it shouldn't prevent prosperity as Dalkey is becoming a bit of a ghost town with two businesses closed and one facing possible closure. With the way in which travel arrangements and orbital shopping centers being developed, it is dragging business out of Dalkey. In general, I think the area is in desperate need of renewal. If people keep on dictating or restricting development in the area, its future could be placed in jeopardy. It needs to be urbanized somehow to promote prosperity. While the infrastructure isn't suitable for it at the moment, I have discovered a way in which the infrastructure could be improved with very little demolition of the areas structures. Bottom line, the extension of Centra although unauthorized, is a step in the right direction.

ScouseMouse

http://www.thepost.ie/news/ireland/auditors-cast-doubt-on-future-of-troubled-store-48678.html

themont85

Are these the same crowd that own the one in Blackrock which closed down it looks like...

ScouseMouse

themont85 wrote: »

Are these the same crowd that own the one in Blackrock which closed down it looks like...

Yep.

Things are not good there but carnt say to much. Read the link.

themont85

superscouse wrote: »

Yep.

Things are not good there but carnt say to much. Read the link.

I thought it was strange that it closed down, seemed to do good business. I went by in the car this morning and it looks like a Londis is taking its place, very dodgy. The article explains it a bit cheers.

ScouseMouse

themont85 wrote: »

I thought it was strange that it closed down, seemed to do good business. I went by in the car this morning and it looks like a Londis is taking its place, very dodgy. The article explains it a bit cheers.

The store in newtownpark ave is now under the control of the landlord. I believe he is indeed thinking of opening a londis store.

I am not sure how the rest of the shops are doing. But I dont believe they are doing to well.;)

grumpy old woman

It's open again. I've just driven past - the car park is full, the shop is open and a bakery delivery van has just arrived.

Travel is good

Sorry, just wanted to ask, so is there no reasonably priced large supermarket in Dalkey then? I'm not counting Centras, Londis, Spars et al. Where do Dalkey people do their weekly large grocery shop?

ted1

Dunes Cornelscourt, superquinn blackrock, Tesco ballyrack or bloomfields

Travel is good

Thank you very much for that info! Very helpful.

Run_to_da_hills

ted1 wrote: »

Dunes Cornelscourt, superquinn blackrock, Tesco ballyrack or bloomfields

Eurospar (Formally 5 Star) in Dalkey is quite competitive on basics.

grumpy old woman

Travel is good wrote: »

Sorry, just wanted to ask, so is there no reasonably priced large supermarket in Dalkey then? I'm not counting Centras, Londis, Spars et al. Where do Dalkey people do their weekly large grocery shop?

Eurospar in Dalkey is quite well stocked and has good special offers.

Travel is good

My apologies for taking this thread off topic slightly. I was at the Book festival on Saturday, and was just curious about the fact that there didn't seem to be a large low price supermarket around. I was in the Eurospar a few times alright, but couldn't see myself doing a large grocery shop there. From what you are all saying, the other major shop is the Centra on Barnhill.

Thanks for all your help.

Cookie_Monster

Tesco in Dun Laoghaire would be the nearest big big supermarket but when I lived in Dalkey SupervaluEurospar met 99% of my needs tbh

ted1

Lidl in deansgrange it pottery road isn't to far. I reckon only single people would shop in eurospar. Deffo not for family shopping.

ted1

Lidl in deansgrange it pottery road isn't to far. I reckon only single people would shop in eurospar. Deffo not for family shopping. Central would not be any better.

Fratton Fred

Dalkey and Lidl mentioned in the same sentence, how times have changed!

Fratton Fred

Travel is good wrote: »

My apologies for taking this thread off topic slightly. I was at the Book festival on Saturday, and was just curious about the fact that there didn't seem to be a large low price supermarket around. I was in the Eurospar a few times alright, but couldn't see myself doing a large grocery shop there. From what you are all saying, the other major shop is the Centra on Barnhill.

Thanks for all your help.

If Eurospar don't sell it, I'd be surprised if Centra do.

I tend to do a weekly shop for the family in Tesco Bloomfields (it is a really nice shop now they have finished it) and use eurospar for emergencies and whims.

grumpy old woman

Travel is good wrote: »

My apologies for taking this thread off topic slightly. I was at the Book festival on Saturday, and was just curious about the fact that there didn't seem to be a large low price supermarket around. I was in the Eurospar a few times alright, but couldn't see myself doing a large grocery shop there. From what you are all saying, the other major shop is the Centra on Barnhill.

Thanks for all your help.

Centra in Barnhill is essentially a convenience store, and prices are therefore not really comparable with Dunnes or Tesco. I would do my "big shop" in Tesco Bloomfields or Eurospar Dalkey (or its larger branch at the Graduate Shopping Centre on Rochestown Avenue). The Centra store is in receivership.

Travel is good

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Dalkey and Lidl mentioned in the same sentence, how times have changed!

Thanks again for that info. Lidl? I'd be very interested in that Lidl in Ballybrack. I'd need to do a large family shop, so it looks like Tescos at Bloomfields would suit me.

Maybe it wouldn't do any harm for Dalkey to have a Lidl. I find their quality quite good - especially cheeses, cold meats and chocolate (you just have to have the chocolate!) Their wines are pretty good too - Chablis, Sancerre.

Anyhow, back to topic, the Centra on Barnhill. From the sounds of it it looks like it needs the refurbishment. Usually refurbished stores bring in more business and employment to the area.

Fratton Fred

No chance of a Lidl in Dalkey, or a tesco for that matter.

Starbucks was effectively boycotted because it was a chain store and only lasted six months. Dalkey people are very fussy about their town.

The Lidl is actually in Pottery road in Cabinteely, or there is one in Deansgrange at the crossroads.

Travel is good

I am amazed by this behaviour. What is wrong with a Lidl, Tescos or Starbucks? I admit, I'm not always a fan of big chains like Starbucks, but would prefer to see a new business thriving in the current climate. Surely it would be better to have a new business like Starbucks or a refurbished Centra, rather than nothing at all?

I'm getting bad vibes about Dalkey now.....

Fratton Fred

Travel is good wrote: »

I am amazed by this behaviour. What is wrong with a Lidl, Tescos or Starbucks? I admit, I'm not always a fan of big chains like Starbucks, but would prefer to see a new business thriving in the current climate. Surely it would be better to have a new business like Starbucks or a refurbished Centra, rather than nothing at all?

I'm getting bad vibes about Dalkey now.....

Dalkey is great, but it is a bit insular.

There are several very good coffee shops in Dalkey, Starbucks would have put at least one of them out of business. One of the lovely things about Dalkey is the uniqueness of the shops. They are all long established privately owned businesses (with the exception of the estate agent and bookies).

The same applies to Lidl, it would kill existing Dalkey businesses. Plus there is nowhere in the immediate area that could accomodate a large shop like Lidl.

Travel is good

Ah yes, I totally understand that Lidl wouldn't work, there wouldn't be a big enough car park.

That is the attraction about Dalkey, the fact that there are these unique little coffee shops & businesses etc.

Though I'm just a bit concerned that these small unique businesses might be a bit vulnerable. I understand that Dalkey residents want to have a say in planning of their environment. However, sometimes you have to look at what would be good for stimulating the local economy. The busineses may be unique and not owned by a chain. But they also need to be the types of businesses that people want.

Things like access to the shops are important too - car parking, ease of access etc.

Anyhow, I was very impressed with all the business spirit in the village at the weekend, for the book festival. It's a good idea to promote spending in the village (which I did!).

Whiskey Devil

I much prefer the Eurospar/Supervalu/Superquinn range.. For a slightly higher premium on some items (Tesco is far from cheap!), they offer a much better range of quality Irish produced food.

Travel is good

Thanks everyone for all the advice!

The grocery shopping is very important to me!

jpfahy

Hmmmm, was supposed to be closed on Sunday for stocktaking and reopen today but it hasn't reopened........

Heroditas

Speaking of Dalkey, when did the Super Valu there become a Spar?
Worked there many moons ago when I was in college and was surprised when I was in Dalkey a couple of years ago to see it had changed franchises.

ted1

About 10 years ago, its currently getting a big make over.

Heroditas

ted1 wrote: »

About 10 years ago, its currently getting a big make over.

Thanks, I must pop in at some point and see if any of the staff from the Super Valu days are still there.
Doubtful though, it's 14 years since I worked there.

patrickbrophy18

ted1 wrote: »

About 10 years ago, its currently getting a big make over.

Eurospar is currently being doubled in size. A huge amount of excavation is being carried out to the rear to enable the store to maintain a uniform width most of the way back. At the very back, a customer toilet will be installed along with a new ramp at the very left of the store. A lot of other significant alterations are being made. I've seen the blue prints for it at www.dlrcoco.ie. In my opinion, it is badly needed and will be very good for Dalkey in the long run. Either way, it is a major refurbishment. From what I was told by one of the staff, the refurbishment is due for completion in October. It should be interesting come Christmas! It could very well be a tactical response to the extension made to Centra.

Anyway, back on topic. Centra is being closed for stock taking and also until the process of receivership has been completed. Hereafter, a new manager will take over. However, you can be rest assured that it will be open again very shortly.

grumpy old woman

Centra in Barnhill Road reopened today under new ownership. I've just been there. Not fully stocked yet.

patrickbrophy18

I saw it myself as well today. The layout is more or less identical. However, it has been smartened up quite a lot given that it has only been closed for two weeks. The back is looking better too.:D

M three

superscouse wrote: »

Yep.

Things are not good there but carnt say to much. Read the link.

That links to the business post subscription page.
Can you post the text from the article please?

M three

patrickbrophy18 wrote: »

I saw it myself as well today. The layout is more or less identical. However, it has been smartened up quite a lot given that it has only been closed for two weeks. The back is looking better too.:D

Who are the new owners?
Good luck to them, I hope its a big success, have to congratulate anyone that opens or reopens a business, especially now

ScouseMouse

M three wrote: »

That links to the business post subscription page.
Can you post the text from the article please?

Cannot find it at the moment but its way out of date anyway.

To remind you, this is from different owners, a couple of years ago and has NO relevance to the current store.

The article gave the general gist of the whole group being in trouble. How Musgrave took a charge on some of the property and the shops own accountants saying they found it hard to see the long term viability of the stores.

Remember, this is nothing to do with the current, new store.

patrickbrophy18

M three wrote: »

Who are the new owners?

Don't know. Sorry!

patrickbrophy18

I thought I would resurrect this old thread seeing as a new extension is under construction. While I largely welcome this move given the better choice of goods that will likely result from it, I am still a tiny bit concerned about how it will operate from a parking perspective. At the moment, the car park is too small to necessitate it's current purpose with traffic regularly spilling out onto the mini-roundabout adjacent to it's entrance. Having said that, these situations often clear up within a minute or so. Will the larger size exacerbate this issue?

Nevertheless, I do look forward to having a new polished mega convenience store down the road!:D

pedroeibar1

Many an Iceberger I bought there back in the day when James was a lad! It was one of three sister stores, now name the other two..........