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What kind of shop does Blessington need?

  • 02-06-2009 04:18PM
    #1
    rightoldpickle
    Closed Accounts Posts: 119 ✭✭


    I was just wondering; people are always complaining about the selection of shops we have in Blessington. And that to get anything decent / on trend you would have to travel to Naas / Dublin.
    I'd love to start something.... madness I know the way things are. But think it would be a great adventure and achievement.
    What would ye like or what does blessington need?

    In recent months the ladies fashion shop and the young girls clothes shop have both closed - were these just not offering great selections or just not needed full stop.

    2 discount shops and 1 party accessories shop have opened and seem to do booming trade.

    Is there anything more that can be brought to the table?


«1

Comments

  • #2
    hobochris
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,164 ✭✭✭hobochris


    A large convenience store or a large supermarket.

    Also It could do with a nightclub(not sure if there already is one or not but i didn't notice) as I'd say it would make it a better tourist spot if it did.

    **I Don't Live In Blessington, Theses are just Observations By someone who has past through/ stopped there a couple of times **


  • #3
    rightoldpickle
    Closed Accounts Posts: 119 ✭✭rightoldpickle


    hey there hobochris,

    A niteclub of sorts has opened recently - its a late disco bar attached to a pub. it has a very distint crowd that go to it (iykwim) - not sure that the location is there in blessington for another bar / club

    as for supermarkets - there is a large Super Value and Dunnes Stores along with a average sized centra - all offering great opening hours (early /late)


  • #4
    The Volt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭The Volt


    I dont think we could use much more consumer shops in the town, we have all the necessities. I'd more so like to see a nitelink and a better link between Blessington and Naas


  • #5
    convert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,339 ✭✭✭convert


    What about a B&B or some kind of accommodation? I know it's not a shop, but the hotel closed a while back and there doesn't seem to be a replacement. Or maybe I've just not seen it?

    I don't live there, just pass through now and again and thought it was something that was lacking in the town.


  • #6
    The Volt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭The Volt


    Avon Ri is fairly decent as far as accomodation goes, on a lovely location too.


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  • #7
    rightoldpickle
    Closed Accounts Posts: 119 ✭✭rightoldpickle


    hiya convert, there is plenty of accommodation around the area. Avon Ri is a large resort with varying levels. Also plenty of B&B's both in and out of the town...

    Voltwad, i agree with the nitelink, i have been onto Dublin Bus numerous times and they have no plans of extending the 65 to a nitelink. how often would you avail of this service on average?
    And as for the shuttle to Naas - would you be looking at day or night transport?


  • #8
    iregk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,235 ✭✭✭iregk


    I'm guessing some that are posting aren't from Blessington. There are plenty of B&B's around the area. Yes the downshire hotel closed but there is also Avon Ri which is within walking distance to the town.

    Shop wise we have a supermarkets and convenience stores. Also we have a night club or sorts in the aptly named Plan B in the lakes (formerly o'conners for the old skoolers) pub.

    Blessington has always been a strange place to do business. Just when a store everyone says "exactly whats needed" opens as soon as you go to venture in its closed as locals didn't support it.

    The nitelink is always a contentous issue. Personally I'd like it and would use it although if your in a group a taxi from teh city center is doable and they don't complain anymore when being "dragged out" of the 2mile city center radius.

    The one shop I'd personally like is a good sports shop that is actually a sports shop and not an urban wear shop ala champion sports. A good shop that does cycling gear and equipment, proper sports equipment etc...


  • #9
    rightoldpickle
    Closed Accounts Posts: 119 ✭✭rightoldpickle


    hiya iregk,

    i have thought in the past a sports shop would be great. especially given all the passing cycling trade. perhaps this is something that can be looked at.

    as for locals not supporting local businesses i totally agree. its shocking how fast places close due to the lack of "promised" trade!


  • #10
    Mr. Presentable
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,495 ✭✭✭Mr. Presentable


    Small tackle shop.


  • #11
    iregk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,235 ✭✭✭iregk


    rightoldpickle wrote: »
    i have thought in the past a sports shop would be great. especially given all the passing cycling trade. perhaps this is something that can be looked at.

    as for locals not supporting local businesses i totally agree. its shocking how fast places close due to the lack of "promised" trade!

    Hey right.

    I think the sports shop should be looked at. We did have one what, 3 years or so ago but it was essentially a football shop that sold jerseys, short and a couple of hoodies. I was thinking exactly what you responded. As a cyclist myself I naturally have the luxury of starting and finishing my trips in Blessington. The amount however that cycle through or drive up and start from our town would surely be worth a look.
    nipplenuts wrote: »
    Small tackle shop.

    te he :D

    Graham


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  • #12
    The Volt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭The Volt


    rightoldpickle wrote: »
    hiya convert, there is plenty of accommodation around the area. Avon Ri is a large resort with varying levels. Also plenty of B&B's both in and out of the town...

    Voltwad, i agree with the nitelink, i have been onto Dublin Bus numerous times and they have no plans of extending the 65 to a nitelink. how often would you avail of this service on average?
    And as for the shuttle to Naas - would you be looking at day or night transport?

    I would be a frequent user of the nitelink if it came our way, absolutely. Once a week at least. As for the shuttle bus to Naas, there's a town link that does Naas-Newbridge-Killcullen etc, its a shame it doesn't come our way


  • #13
    Coriolanus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,879 ✭✭✭Coriolanus


    Local trade is one thing, but I'd be hard pressed to find anything I'd want in Blessington that I can't find cheaper in Dublin or Naas.

    What we really need is a decent cafe to complement the Grange. The offerings in the others in the town are subpar at best. Sadly if you want to meet someone for a coffee in the town and the Grange is closed/packed to the rafters, your best alternative is a cup out of Centra and sit at the square, unless you want to hit the pubs.


  • #14
    iregk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,235 ✭✭✭iregk


    Nevore wrote: »
    What we really need is a decent cafe to complement the Grange.

    Well there is Caio Baby and Num Nums or how about the pure greasy spoon builders only please pleasure of the Courtyard*


    *this one is sarcastic...


  • #15
    The Volt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭The Volt


    Ciao Baby has been closed for sometime, shame, their fry was half decent. I think Num Nums is gone too.


    Starbucks anyone? :D


  • #16
    iregk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,235 ✭✭✭iregk


    Voltwad wrote: »
    Ciao Baby has been closed for sometime.D

    Actually funny enough a while ago I said to the wife that all the cardboard price signs were no longer in the window and it looked closed.

    There was rumours about a starbucks and an o'briens opening about a year ago. No idea where that one went.


  • #17
    The Volt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭The Volt


    The same place the rumour of the cinema went ;)


  • #18
    westwicklow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 566 ✭✭✭westwicklow


    As long as we have Mick Dempsey's "Restaurant", we wil be ok!!


  • #19
    iregk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,235 ✭✭✭iregk


    westwicklow wrote: »
    As long as we have Mick Dempsey's "Restaurant", we wil be ok!!

    Hahaha indeed. Just take the chips quickly or they'll be eaten by the time you get them.

    The Cinema, forgot all about that. That was opposite dunnes wasn't it. Also the new hotel beside dunnes doesn't seem to be going anywhere either.


  • #20
    westwicklow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 566 ✭✭✭westwicklow


    iregk wrote: »
    Hahaha indeed. Just take the chips quickly or they'll be eaten by the time you get them.


    But at least we can read the newspaper they come in while we wait/eat!!!

    :D


  • #21
    The Volt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭The Volt


    Anyone else think the new town centre is rubbish?


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  • #22
    westwicklow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 566 ✭✭✭westwicklow


    Voltwad wrote: »
    Anyone else think the new town centre is rubbish?

    Yep!


  • #23
    The Volt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭The Volt


    westwicklow wrote: »
    Yep!
    Ah, not just me then :) Only thing I approve of is the Paddy Power's


  • #24
    iregk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,235 ✭✭✭iregk


    I don't really mind it. It could be a bit better and looks way too over loaded with cars. No idea why they put parking there when there is a big parking aread just up from it and behind dunnes. Again though, the sweet shop didn't last, the pharmacy didn't last, ciao baby didn't last. we are left with a bookies, a cheap tack euro shop and a laundrette.

    At least lemon tree isn't too bad.


  • #25
    The Volt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭The Volt


    Anyone remember the old candy store? :)


  • #26
    jor199
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13 ✭jor199


    A friend of mine is thinking of opening an Angel/Holsitic Shop & Treatment room in the area. There is a need for that type of shop in general but not sure if it will take off in Blessington.


  • #27
    westwicklow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 566 ✭✭✭westwicklow


    iregk wrote: »

    At least lemon tree isn't too bad.

    Bad?

    Spotlessly clean, great service, reasonable prices......


  • #28
    iregk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,235 ✭✭✭iregk


    westwicklow wrote: »
    Bad?

    Spotlessly clean, great service, reasonable prices......

    I agree. Hence why I said its not too bad. I didn't say it WAS bad!! :)


  • #29
    iregk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,235 ✭✭✭iregk


    jor199 wrote: »
    A friend of mine is thinking of opening an Angel/Holsitic Shop & Treatment room in the area. There is a need for that type of shop in general but not sure if it will take off in Blessington.

    I think that kind of shop is make or break anywhere, not just Blessington.


  • #30
    bcw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8 ✭bcw


    iregk wrote: »
    I don't really mind it. It could be a bit better and looks way too over loaded with cars. No idea why they put parking there when there is a big parking aread just up from it and behind dunnes. Again though, the sweet shop didn't last, the pharmacy didn't last, ciao baby didn't last. we are left with a bookies, a cheap tack euro shop and a laundrette.

    At least lemon tree isn't too bad.
    i love the Lemon Tree Restaurant, it do great, ive been there few times, very happy there's a good restaurant in my area! hope they will keep it up


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  • #31
    hopalong85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 541 ✭✭✭hopalong85


    Voltwad wrote: »
    Anyone remember the old candy store? :)

    Yeah, used to be the only place in Blessington I could buy cigarettes in no problem when I was only 13!:eek: Plus cough sweets etc.

    That brings back memories!


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