New Shops/Businesses in Bray

The cinema would absolutely make a difference. They do everywhere. A decline does not mean they don’t have a big impact.

The reality is that Bray Central is not just competing with Dundrum, Stillorgan or Dun Laoghaire, but also the sea front.

I'd agree with this - alot of daytrippers never venture past the seafront or to main street - something like a cinema could change that and breathe more life into the tenants around bray central

The daytrippers wouldn't know the cinema is there and probably have one in their own area.

Either way, have you been to the cinema lately? They're all struggling and often empty so the idea that a cinema will attract lots of people to Bray Central is delusional.

People also said the exact same thing about getting a Penney's in Bray.

But that that is what it is competing with, along with the seafront.

Again what do people expect from this place? It was never going to get A Tier retail. The only places that do are Grafton Street and Dundrum. Henry Street and its environs do to an extent. Ultimately this is still competing with these areas, for better or for worse.

Like what did people want? We have you even dismissing a cinema. We have people slamming Press Up despite the fact the the likes of Wow Burger are the only type of unit that would really work with that floor space. There’s far too much negativity out there.

We have some of the same types from Little Bray complaining how “nothing” happens there when the very same people are railing against Sea Gardens and the activation of the Dargle for shops and residential.

Legitimate criticism here for me is how the owners have allowed Chemist Warehouse and Daybreak to put in terrible shop fronts.

In fairness most day trippers won’t go to the cinema.

They are there for the seafront and that experience. If Bray could recapture the hotel trade (which I believe it could with good investment) then the cinema would be on option for people on extended trips for sure.

The impact of the day trippers is that they fill the bars and eateries on the sea front.

This makes those places more appealing to locals as well. Busy means buzz and is good for all.

What a cinema would largely do is pull in the people from the immediate locality. It’s the same way that banks and other services do.

Doesn’t mean it’s a solution, it’s just one thing to improve things.

The people who complain about Bray Cental and the cinema never have any other ideas. Even the ones complaining that it was going to be a Stella were ridiculous. Now that was actually unique, upscale cinema and the works that would have pulled people in from a long way (over even Dundrum or Stillorgan or Dun Laoghaire). But apparently that wasn’t the “right” cinema for Bray. Now it’s cinemas generally are pointless.

Bray Open Forum is like a collection of moody teenagers except most of them probably remember the first moon landing.

The new cafe that took over from glovers appears to have opened today on meath road. Drove past unsure the name

whats in the box??

yea the owners are nice I think they may have been associated with red bird previously - good coffee and pastry I had was nice - the hot food will be the key to differentiate

Certainly strange if permanent - there is barely a table available in Nine or Dockyard on a weekend morning. They have also opened up into the unit next door (and nearly doubled in size), so the weather shouldn't stop them.

I saw the shutter down in Gusto and assumed they must have a smashed window behind it. Although the outside is getting very run down anyway- they did a wonderful makeover on the place and then didn't touch it ever again. Paint has badly faded, less and less furniture being put out, plants dying etc. I believe they had problems with retention for the wooden canopy but it's as if they completely gave up after it was refused.

From what I seen passing by is an external paint job, not sure if anything going on inside, but its not open for business.

Is Diep/Econo under new ownership again?

Under benny's?

Agreed - fingers crossed its not just another spice bag merchant

There is a name out front but can't remember what it was. Will let you know.

Id just like something different.... the Ococo model was odd where you could order of their or the Diep menu.

Good on Cafe Pico.... good coffee, nice people and they've got a big catchment.

Was in Catalyst twice in as many weeks, their booji (?) Beans are very good. There aren't many places I'd go to in Bray for lunch but I'd recommend there. Not a fan of their coffee unfortunately.

I think that abandoned restaurant (used to be O'Briens and before that, Graham O'Sullivans) was painted a few months back. I'm not holding out much hope.

For all the competition, since Campo and then Ripasso closed, there's no "higher end" venue in Bray which is a pity.

There may be no market for it.