How would rejuvenate Galway City?

xckjoo

We've been hearing rumors about H&M coming to Galway since the 90s. But the same was true of Nandos and now we appear to be getting one of those so stranger things have happened.

LambshankRedemption

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123317111#Comment_123317111

Nando's AFAIK is a franchise, so there's little stopping anyone basically setting up a Nando's. H&M are not, they have to find somewhere they like to set up a new shop.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123317111#Comment_123317111

Very different prospects. Fast food places are very much on the up whereas clothing stores are mostly leaving the market. And isn't that Nando's gonna be outside the city centre which will do little to rejuvenate the place.

xckjoo

Think ye folks are missing the point. I was making a joke of the fact that people have been lamenting the absence of H&M since as long as I can remember as they were rumored to be opening in every substantially sized unit in the city at some stage. Nandos was the same but in smaller units.

In relation to rejuvenating the city, it's a bit of a lame duck. This constant belief that just one large retailer will swoop in and save us when they've had ample opportunity in the last 30ish years and never took it. Meanwhile I can jump on their website right now and order anything I want. Better to focus on promoting smaller retailers IMO. Preferably local ones or at least ones that offer something unique. "Experience" based economy and all that.

Gremlinertia

I have zero influence and no ability that I'm aware of to encourage change. one thing I would like is someone in the right places in city council to be open to ideas and able to implement in a time frame that gives people the impression that things can change in a more visible/immediate way.

I'm also dismayed at the inaction on vacant sites, there are multiple reasons for various ones but a certain timeframe of complete stasis should probably instill a higher level of intervention by the council.

Now these are just some random thoughts because there is no one fits all solution, but sure wishes and horses

rustyfrog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123317111#Comment_123317111

Remember the years of hype about Burger King coming! 😅 Then it came and nobody cared. We just enjoy the excitement of the chase, the reality of big chains moving into Galway City is more dull/grim.

Mrs OBumble

How long do we think it will take to fix up the proposed Nandos building? It needs a LOT of work.

Mr_A

One thing Galway needs is a decent venue for gigs / comedians etc. That acts end up playing in Leisureland, a glorified school hall, highlights that there is an opening there. You see some playing Castlebar but not Galway as they have a better venue (4000 seats). For a city that's reputation is for culture and events it's a bizarre omission.

Oh and build the GLUAS so people can actually get around the place would help a lot too.

what_traffic

There is a City Council slogan buried somewhere deep in this "Kernel of truth" line Mr_A!

"For a city that's reputation is for culture and events it's a bizarre omission."

what_traffic

A simple City Centre solution and one that will eventually happen. Convert the likes of Hynes Yard multi car park into a Last Mile Delivery Warehouse - then have last 500 meter Delivery's done from there (ALL Day) using small electric vehicles like one sees in European Country's. Too many heavy and big vehicles on the Pedestrian Zone up until 10h30/11h00 most mornings. Very noticeable in the summer what a mess it is when have ALL the tourists about in the mornings. Don't see how it helps retailers in City Centre zone to persist with this late 20th Century SCM solution

GBXI

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123321527#Comment_123321527

This is so true. It is embarrassing walking down Shop St. at like 9.30am on a weekday and the place is packed with cars and delivery vans.

GBXI

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123320486#Comment_123320486

It's a stain on the city and especially the council that there isn't a world-class events centre in the city. As you say, Castlebar has had something for 20 years that Galway hasn't come close to. The venue should be the centre-point of the Arts Festival every year too.

Flinty997

Haven't been in Galway in a while, but from the outside looking in all I hear about is traffic and it's anti cycling. Pedestrian areas often drive footfall and business into an area.

CuriousCucumber

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123321527#Comment_123321527

Thats a great idea to be honest

thesandeman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123322660#Comment_123322660

Isn't that what the Black Box was originally attempting?

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123322858#Comment_123322858

Essentially its the same model that the Eyre Shopping Centre uses. Trucks are parked outside there at 06h30-07h00 delivering stuff every week day morning when I pass on the bike. Possible weekends as well?

Does not have to be Hynes Yard - that might be too small down the line especially if more of City Centre goes Pedestrian ZONE, but there is land around Ceannt Station or the Docks that is very close to the Centre for a specialized facility for this storage and last leg delivery. SCM / WM Software means its very doable proposition. Probably need Galway Chamber to drive something like this rather than Council

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123322650#Comment_123322650

You'd rather the street was buzzing with small delivery vehicles all day though?

The deliveroo etc lads are bad enough already, we don't need more vehicles in the pedestrian area!

(Neither do we need to pedestrianise more: the retail footprint is shrinking, not growing.

rustyfrog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123322660#Comment_123322660

The university Kingfisher actually did a remarkably good job at hosting Duck Pond last summer.

Paddico

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123322811#Comment_123322811

Any there any actual cycle lanes in the city?

Flinty997

No idea...a quick google didn't help

zell12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123343906#Comment_123343906

Not in the city centre itself, there are some around on other urban routes. Incredible given that it has ~23k students

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123343906#Comment_123343906

Yup - there are. The Only ones are under the railway Bridge in Lough Atalia. Max 50 meters Id say ( in either direction ). That is ALL that there is in the City Centre

Flinty997

That's kinda crazy and sad.

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123344224#Comment_123344224

Highlighting their existence does not mean I actual recommend using them.

Unrealistic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123344224#Comment_123344224

I've heard it said that the inclusion of that 50m of cycle lane on Lough Atalia, and this 50m beside the old Westwood, were both fig leaves to access active travel funding when widening/lowering the roads so windmill turbines could be transported from the docks to the N59. There was never any intention that they should actually be useful for people travelling by bike.

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123346733#Comment_123346733

Perhaps - not aware of the fig leave funding aspect.

The irony of course is that the N59 change made here - made it even more dangerous on a bike by putting in bike lanes at this junction.That is the Galway City Council modus operandi.

But 100% on the reason both were modified. Turbine Blades.

Flinty997

They would make a good political query...

Paddico

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123317176#Comment_123317176

Someone should set up there own version of Peri Peri chicken and chips.

Its simple and tasty food. Nandos is way over priced for what it is.

Wompa1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123317176#Comment_123317176

Nando's is a franchise but not the typical franchise when it comes to the UK and Ireland. Unless it has changed in recent years, it is not a franchise that just any old Tom, Dick or Harry can apply to startup they only have one franchisee per region. You can't just apply to start one in Galway, it will have to be from the sole franchisee for this region.

Wompa1

There are a few spots in Ennis that do just that.