Another Donegal town suffers....

Carrickman

Apart from the news of Gallaghers more or less closing (there is more to this AFIK) I hear that Concarrs and Givens shops are closing in Ardara after decades of trading and two pubs also are to close in the village. This is a sad example of the demise of not just Ardara but Donegal a story that is happening all over the county, we are a county that has been forgotten about and it seems to go on and on....:mad::(

NIMAN

All these closures are very sad and a sign of the times but its not as if its only happening in Donegal.

I'm sure there are villages and towns the length of Ireland that could give you similar examples of closures and job losses.

Durnish

Given's? Oh no, the first family we ever stayed with as "visitors", way back, 1960's. Many emergency items, towels, sheets, socks even a bathing costume or two have been bought in there. Kind of a family tradition for us. The Given's bags were highly prized as holiday souveniers.


Tell me it aint so.

sligopark

NIMAN wrote: »

I'm sure there are villages and towns the length of Ireland that could give you similar examples of closures and job losses.

Unfortunately no - Donegal seems to be getting hammered fairly heavily.

hairyprincess

Is it a definite that they are closing?

I heard about Givens a few months ago but some people I said it to said it was just a rumour. It's too bad if it is true, it's a great wee shop. I don't know of any other shop like it in SW Donegal since Thompsons and Kearneys closed in Donegal town!

It will only get worse once Gallaghers shuts its doors.

Unfortunately, there is no future for towns like this along the west coast. Look at the IDA, choosing to focus on Letterkenny only for inward investment.

Urban living is something that Ireland will need to embrace. We can't continuing building scatter houses all over the countryside, and expect city-like services

sligopark

Letterkenny as urban living centre is not going to give it anything - it needs trade routes and opportunity - Derry is just too close. Unfortunately given its lack of care under ff it is hardly to become anything more than a play of currency. Donegal town didn't even have this dignity it needed political pull and its ff td and tanaiste did nothing for it - she should be ashamed and pulled on this and her failure(s).

charlemont

Carrickman wrote: »

Apart from the news of Gallaghers more or less closing (there is more to this AFIK) I hear that Concarrs and Givens shops are closing in Ardara after decades of trading and two pubs also are to close in the village. This is a sad example of the demise of not just Ardara but Donegal a story that is happening all over the county, we are a county that has been forgotten about and it seems to go on and on....:mad::(

I agree, Iv noticed over the years how the powers that be neglect Donegal, and Cavan too..

North_West_Art

we are losing our manufacturing industries. Letterkenny is purely retail and services. Oatfield sweets is one of the oldest manufacturers in the county and they are also closing soon.. Fruit of the Loom, Unifi and Abbotts are long gone

puffdragon

Travelled to Sligo on Thursday last and heading home to Donegal I thought I'd have my usual breakfast stop in Grange , but the wee restaurant is closed now, Wheelers it was called, my God it used to be busy enough for so many years before, was shocked enough by that so headed on to Ballyshannon , again the diamond area seems to be all closed up and most shops have "for sale" signs in the windows, the only place to eat there seemed to be a pub on the far side of the bridge, not much chance of me getting parked there! , ended up in the John Dory in stranorlar, but sure I was nearly home by then. Nice fish though , worth the wait!!

Sad to hear about Ardara bakery, I did a lot of work there while it was being extended and dont really like to think of the people I met there being out of work, salt of the earth people every one!!

byte

Wheelers is gone? Seriously? Wow. This country really is getting more ****ed by the day.

puffdragon

puffdragon wrote: »

Travelled to Sligo on Thursday last and heading home to Donegal I thought I'd have my usual breakfast stop in Grange , but the wee restaurant is closed now, Wheelers it was called, my God it used to be busy enough for so many years before, was shocked enough by that so headed on to Ballyshannon , again the diamond area seems to be all closed up and most shops have "for sale" signs in the windows, the only place to eat there seemed to be a pub on the far side of the bridge, not much chance of me getting parked there! , ended up in the John Dory in stranorlar, but sure I was nearly home by then. Nice fish though , worth the wait!!

Sad to hear about Ardara bakery, I did a lot of work there while it was being extended and dont really like to think of the people I met there being out of work, salt of the earth people every one!!

No, not wheelers!

Still there's always a Supermacs between Galway and Donegal. *pukes*

Carrickman

Seen a sign on the Cope House bar in Killybegs stating they are only open Friday to Sunday another sign of the times!

lost marbles

Carrickman wrote: »

Seen a sign on the Cope House bar in Killybegs stating they are only open Friday to Sunday another sign of the times!

just seen that the bayview hotel [link is on breakingnews.ie ] in killybegs closed last night . 35 jobs lost . donegal is getting hit hard alright .
so remember folks who caused this mess when yous go into that voting booth .
i have nothing to do with any political party whatsoever but for such a beautiful county .yous deserve better .

Firblog

Some more news here

http://www.donegaldaily.com/2011/02/07/anger-as-killybegs-hotel-closes-with-loss-of-35-jobs/

Dr. Fell

North_West_Art wrote: »

we are losing our manufacturing industries. Letterkenny is purely retail and services. Oatfield sweets is one of the oldest manufacturers in the county and they are also closing soon.. Fruit of the Loom, Unifi and Abbotts are long gone

The Unifi site, which had the largest factory in the NW was sold off to developers at the hight of the boom, to build what? More f-ing houses-flats-retail. Total lack of foresight of the government, IDA, Donegal CC and Letterkenny UDC. Madness. Imagine if Intel pulled out of Leixlip and Sisk or whoever being allowed to rip down the factory to build apartments? On a cold day in hell!

Durnish

I was listening to Highland as that Bayview story twisted and turned, extraordinary. Good news about Gallaghers, tho'.

annascott

<snip>


Very sad to hear about small businesses closing in Ardara though. There is little enough on the west coast. We cannot afford to lose any more.. AS.

homer simpson

Mod note: I know your new here annascott but you cannot post an outburst like you just did, please read the Charter before you post on here again, mainly this bit...

charter wrote:

Libel/Defimation:
Do not post anything that can be considered as being libelous – E.g.- ABC Ltd based in Ballykissmearse have a reputation for ????? or the Scotchmsity pub serves drink to under 18’s or the XYZ Hotel is filthy. All such comments could lead to court proceedings against boards.ie.

muffler

Defamation/libel is something we cannot expose boards.ie to


.

Carrickman

annascott wrote: »

<snip>


Very sad to hear about small businesses closing in Ardara though. There is little enough on the west coast. We cannot afford to lose any more.. AS.

Eekk controversial:o

Carrickman

muffler wrote: »

Defamation/libel is something we cannot expose boards.ie to

I have to agree with you there I seen that comment and it is a shocking thing to say on a public message board.

Carrickman

lost marbles wrote: »

just seen that the bayview hotel [link is on breakingnews.ie ] in killybegs closed last night . 35 jobs lost . donegal is getting hit hard alright

As far as I know this is a dispute between the shareholders and the hotel will reopen again as it doing well business wise and has a lot of bookings in the upcoming months.

muffler

Carrickman wrote: »

I have to agree with you there I seen that comment and it is a shocking thing to say on a public message board.

I think its because I did a slight bit of editing of my own quoted post but I have now lost the thanks tab.....so just to say thanks Carrickman

irish1967

I see planning notice in paper seeking to change O2 shop Donegal to a fast food take away ! NO !!

hairyprincess

Oh good God, not another one! Who is the applicant?

irish1967

The estate agent across the street

byte

irish1967 wrote: »

The estate agent across the street

I thought he owned it?

Anyway, we don't need another fast food gaff, IMO.

Unless it's a proper pizzaria. mmmmmmmmm. PIZZA!

Firblog

It beats me how O2 think they are going to get new business in Donegal.. There's no O2 shop between Sligo and Letterkenny, and I don't think a phone is something you'd buy online.
This will prob lead to new customers buying Vodafone, Meteor, & Three mobiles, yet in order to have 99% coverage O2 will have to maintain their network across the whole of Donegal.

No to pizza btw... let there be KFC! Please.....

byte

Firblog wrote: »

It beats me how O2 think they are going to get new business in Donegal.. There's no O2 shop between Sligo and Letterkenny, and I don't think a phone is something you'd buy online.
This will prob lead to new customers buying Vodafone, Meteor, & Three mobiles, yet in order to have 99% coverage O2 will have to maintain their network across the whole of Donegal.

No to pizza btw... let there be KFC! Please.....

Yeah, there was some sort of change with O2 and the likes of Alpha Communications, whereby Alpha lost the o2 agency.

Now the O2 shop is gone, as is Alpha (think they're in Bundoran).

So now, it's solely Vodafone in the town.

As for KFC... suppose it'd be alright, though doubt there'd be enough footfall to warrant the franchise licence?

bohsboy

irish1967 wrote: »

I see planning notice in paper seeking to change O2 shop Donegal to a fast food take away ! NO !!

That would be the fifth fast food outlet in the town?

Ridiculous.

md23040

Another terrible blow has been dealt to the local economy with the closure of Flanagan’s on Friday. A couple of weeks ago bought some furniture from them and the shop seemed to be busy enough.

Although the reality is that in order to compete, margins have taken a hammering with 25% discounts etc across the board, and with the cost of doing business it obviously was extremely difficult. Discounts of 25% reduces profitability by 50% on a 100% margin product.

Possibly the 2% increase on VAT in the December budget was the straw that broke the camel’s back. How many other retailers are in a similar position and hanging on by the finger nails in sensitive border area’s that might follow a similar fate soon.

Grim times remain and again government has failed border regions, albeit these decisions are made outside Ireland. For every loser though there is a winner (sick really)

Irish VAT rise could boost Northern Ireland retailers

Edit add/on : The news wires of BBC and Highland have changed from Liquidation earlier this morning to now the company negotiating to survive - wish the staff and Brian Flanagan as much luck for a positive outcome.

Efforts underway to save jobs at Flanagan’s Furniture

The Mayor of Buncrana says the town has been devastated by the news that over forty jobs are under threat at Flanagan’s Furniture.

The company closed its doors on Friday.Buncrana Mayor Nicolas Crosson said the news came as a great shock but the owner of the company, Brian Flanagan is making every effort to keep the business operating.

Councillor Nicholas Crossan says every effort will be made to retain the jobs.

martyeds

I see Proctors have closed in the shopping centre in Letterkenny also. I thought that place was doing well. Always a good few members of staff working in it.

NIMAN

I have been in Flanagans in Buncrana about 5 times in the last 12 months, and I was usually the only person in it. Always seemed too quiet to me. Plus a lot of their furniture is expensive, which isn't a good thing in a recession.

Shame and another sad bit of news for Donegal. I hope they can survive.

Firblog

bohsboy wrote: »

That would be the fifth fast food outlet in the town?

Ridiculous.

It has reopened now selling some antiques and some pieces that are old but not antique...

mikeyboy

martyeds wrote: »

I see Proctors have closed in the shopping centre in Letterkenny also. I thought that place was doing well. Always a good few members of staff working in it.

Down to the ongoing dispute about the rents being charged in the Shopping Centre.

From "The Donegal News"

Brendan Proctor had been in talks with the owners of the shopping centre, Harcourt Developments, owned by Buncrana man Pat Doherty, for some months but failed to get a reduction in the rent charged.

An emotional Mr Proctor told the Donegal News on Wednesday that he felt very sorry for his staff, particularly in the run up to Christmas, to be losing their jobs.

“Rents are no longer sustainable and I have spent the last three years trying to get some sort of sense from the landlord. Staying on is only creating more debt. It is unfortunate, you can only go for so long.

Firblog

Was in there yesterday, noticed that it was closed but just thought they'd decided not to open on a Sunday. Must've been very tough decision to make so close to christmas

KERSPLAT!

You would think a LL would rather drop rent than have no tenent at all I don't know the shop or it's location but any premises left vacant now will probably be that way for a while

ednwireland

md23040 wrote: »

Another Sad Day For Donegal Retailers -Flanagans Closed. How Many Will Follow

i forsee a lot (if not clsoures there will be staff layoffs), due to the vat rises people will go north just because even if you dont save that much

Ford4000

Well to clarify on the Ardara situation, Givens didnt close it was taken over by new management (2 of the girls that have worked there for years) so i cant forsee any big change there, they had a fashion show last Friday inhouse which was a huge successs i was doing mc for it, Concarrs not to close either i doubt, of the 2 pubs that were to close or 3 i may add....The Hills is closed and for sale for a very small fee from what i hear, The Owentucker previously Dessies previously Brennans is now The Heritage Bar under new management, The Green house is now open at weekends !
2 new businesses opened in Ardara a Barbers and a Flower shop and both seem to be doing ok, a greengrocers opened but didnt survive long as a veg man comes to the diamond every few days and is well established.
a chinese is on the way
Last weekend in Ardara there was a good few things on and all were well attended and there was a great buzz about,
As a small town Ardara is struggling through the recesssion a little better than most from what i can see

2moreMinutes

Following on from the above post, anytime I pass through Ardara, it always seems to have a buzz about it, especially at weekends so fair play to the locals for that.

As to the OP, any post that starts with "I hear" should be rethought and especially when the post is in relation to "hearing" about things like businesses closing down.

Ford4000

2moreMinutes wrote: »

Following on from the above post, anytime I pass through Ardara, it always seems to have a buzz about it, especially at weekends so fair play to the locals for that.

As to the OP, any post that starts with "I hear" should be rethought and especially when the post is in relation to "hearing" about things like businesses closing down.

Excellent point im very very surprised the mods didnt pick up on that
Its the very same thing as someone running down a business or making an adverse comment on a business as saying without proper info that it is set to close, both have a detrimental effect on the business or a persons thinking of the business,
Wakey wakey mods

homer simpson

Keep on topic If you've a problem with how the forum is run PM a mod.

2moreMinutes wrote: »

Following on from the above post, anytime I pass through Ardara, it always seems to have a buzz about it, especially at weekends so fair play to the locals for that.

As to the OP, any post that starts with "I hear" should be rethought and especially when the post is in relation to "hearing" about things like businesses closing down.

Ford4000 wrote: »

Excellent point im very very surprised the mods didnt pick up on that
Its the very same thing as someone running down a business or making an adverse comment on a business as saying without proper info that it is set to close, both have a detrimental effect on the business or a persons thinking of the business,
Wakey wakey mods

Regardless of how many smilies you put in your post, if you have a problem with a post use the report post function, its that simple.

And FYI not one post on this thread starts with "I hear", one post says "I heard about that a month ago" that same post goes on to say that it was a rumour.

In future I won't be so nice and you'll be dealt with accordingly, like I've said if you have a problem with a post use the report post function, if the problem is with the modding of the forum PM one of us, end of :P ect ect.....

Glenman

And McGlincheys Mace in Glenties closed down a few weeks ago. I was in glenties one Saturday recently in the middle of the day and it was like 7am on a Sunday morning it was so quiet.

Glenman

Ford4000 wrote: »

Well to clarify on the Ardara situation, Givens didnt close it was taken over by new management (2 of the girls that have worked there for years) so i cant forsee any big change there, they had a fashion show last Friday inhouse which was a huge successs i was doing mc for it, Concarrs not to close either i doubt, of the 2 pubs that were to close or 3 i may add....The Hills is closed and for sale for a very small fee from what i hear, The Owentucker previously Dessies previously Brennans is now The Heritage Bar under new management, The Green house is now open at weekends !
2 new businesses opened in Ardara a Barbers and a Flower shop and both seem to be doing ok, a greengrocers opened but didnt survive long as a veg man comes to the diamond every few days and is well established.
a chinese is on the way
Last weekend in Ardara there was a good few things on and all were well attended and there was a great buzz about,
As a small town Ardara is struggling through the recesssion a little better than most from what i can see

All good news, an Gallagher's is going well on the fresh bread section!

Ford4000

Glenman wrote: »

And McGlincheys Mace in Glenties closed down a few weeks ago. I was in glenties one Saturday recently in the middle of the day and it was like 7am on a Sunday morning it was so quiet.

Glenties is shocking quiet alright McGlincheys is reopened as Happy Days which aint so bad at least its not a door closed altogether, The Limelight only bein open once a month had a huge impact on Glenties pub trade too I used t work in Roddys and he tells me its gone down ver badly

Ford4000

homer_simpson wrote: »

Keep on topic If you've a problem with how the forum is run PM a mod.



Regardless of how many smilies you put in your post, if you have a problem with a post use the report post function, its that simple.

And FYI not one post on this thread starts with "I hear", one post says "I heard about that a month ago" that same post goes on to say that it was a rumour.

In future I won't be so nice and you'll be dealt with accordingly, like I've said if you have a problem with a post use the report post function, if the problem is with the modding of the forum PM one of us, end of :P ect ect.....

Dear God i was just trying to be light hearted about it for a bit a fun no malice whatsoever meant ...:eek:

....runs away ......:(

muffler

I didnt see anything funny in your comments. All I seen was back seat modding and an attempt to undermine the moderators of this forum.

Tread carefully.

byte

Ford4000 wrote: »

Glenties is shocking quiet alright McGlincheys is reopened as Happy Days which aint so bad at least its not a door closed altogether, The Limelight only bein open once a month had a huge impact on Glenties pub trade too I used t work in Roddys and he tells me its gone down ver badly

Woah, the Limelight only open once a month now?

It used to be quite a busy venue. How times change, I guess.

Ford4000

byte wrote: »

Woah, the Limelight only open once a month now?

It used to be quite a busy venue. How times change, I guess.

Yes indeed it was a very busy spot, it used to be a tad dated and dare i say smelly and dirty, but now its fully refurbished state of the art really nice but no ones going

North_West_Art

a lot of young people have emigrated or saving up to leave, pubs & nightclubs will feel the pinch because of this, as will musicians or anyone involved in the music business