If you could start a business in Clare now what would it be and why?

ulinbac · 06-05-2011 01:47PM #1

Hi Guys,

As the title suggests, what type of business would you like to start in Clare today? Its an idea from watching RTE the other night and how they followed 3 people who were made redundant and started their own business'.

Key is it has to be relevant, not something like "I want to start a bakery because I like eating cakes

".

Mine would be a grinds school because I have a degree and masters in maths, thought grinds throughout my college years to pay for college and my students all received honours. Great feeling when they get their results also. It was a good niche market at the time as I knew from coming out of secondary, all those years ago, that the majority of maths teachers in town we poor at best and ended up teaching myself LC honours maths.

Thanks

buck65 · 06-05-2011 03:54PM

A cinema/coffee house with a bit of live music showing independent movies and some older classics, not the gash that is on most weeks in the Empire Movieplex. A bit of jazz and a few drinks afterwards what could be better.
I don't know if there's a market for this kind of thing but something I would love to do at some point.

ulinbac · 06-05-2011 04:13PM

buck65 wrote: »

A cinema/coffee house with a bit of live music showing independent movies and some older classics, not the gash that is on most weeks in the Empire Movieplex. A bit of jazz and a few drinks afterwards what could be better.
I don't know if there's a market for this kind of thing but something I would love to do at some point.

Interesting idea alright. Would be difficult to find a spot but if it was beside the river (like where the Roantree) is would be great. The licenses and audiences for independent movies would be difficult but what about the coffee shop itself? Guess it would be like the european cafes, people could have a coffee, tea during the day or a drink at night with the theme u have specified running through it.

It would bring some class to the town too :cool:.

pappyodaniel · 06-05-2011 05:00PM

The secret is not telling boards what it would be.

~This time next year Rodney, we'll be millionaires.

Lady Chatterton · 06-05-2011 11:10PM

Ennis has a population of almost 25,000 but there are only two undertakers in the town, I think that there is more than enough business for someone else to enter the market.

CptSternn · 07-05-2011 06:58AM

There are no places to get a proper martini in Ennis. I would open a proper cocktail bar that serves proper martinis.

I would also open a proper sports bar, not the things people here call a sports bar, but a real sports bar American style where you walk in and the walls themselves are just one large screen telly which they can use as one big telly or flip a switch and have like nine smaller 42 inch tellys - all showing sports from around the world. They call them video walls or video matrix.

If I can't see two dozen different matches on at the same time or watch an important match on a wall sized tv while drinking cheap pitchers of beer, then it is not a proper sports bar.

http://techtipsandtoys.wordpress.com/2010/11/09/video-wall-matrix-displays-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

Battleflag · 07-05-2011 07:55AM

KFC.

Fast food seems to be booming in this town, Hillbillies is making a fortune and everyone loves fried chicken. Introducing the most recognised brand associated with fried chicken = $$$$$$$$$$

Melion · 07-05-2011 08:18AM

Cinema in Shannon would be the most obvious IMO

I do like the idea of that sports bar too though.

User Friendly · 07-05-2011 10:52AM

Battleflag wrote: »

KFC.

= $$$$$$$$$$

a sure fire winner. i have wondered about this a number of times,the franchise would be very expensive

maiden · 07-05-2011 11:04AM

Yeah def KFC, i say this every single week!!!! Its booming in lim, and i know people who just go to lim just for KFC!

My idea, crime scene clean up, or it wouldnt have to be 'crime scene' but just where anyone has died. Also, cleaning wheelie bins, i badly need mine done and my two sons are too lazy!

There is money in dirt people!

maiden · 07-05-2011 11:07AM

User Friendly wrote: »

a sure fire winner. i have wondered about this a number of times,the franchise would be very expensive

http://www.kfc.co.uk/about-kfc/franchise/

Details above of taking on a franchise, reckon you need about a million!

ulinbac · 07-05-2011 12:55PM

CptSternn wrote: »

There are no places to get a proper martini in Ennis. I would open a proper cocktail bar that serves proper martinis.

I would also open a proper sports bar, not the things people here call a sports bar, but a real sports bar American style where you walk in and the walls themselves are just one large screen telly which they can use as one big telly or flip a switch and have like nine smaller 42 inch tellys - all showing sports from around the world. They call them video walls or video matrix.

If I can't see two dozen different matches on at the same time or watch an important match on a wall sized tv while drinking cheap pitchers of beer, then it is not a proper sports bar.

http://techtipsandtoys.wordpress.com/2010/11/09/video-wall-matrix-displays-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

Sports bar seems like a great idea, tv's look great also. Where would it go in town though? A place like Knox's would be a great type of spot

Battleflag · 07-05-2011 05:45PM

User Friendly wrote: »

a sure fire winner. i have wondered about this a number of times,the franchise would be very expensive

want to go halves?

Melion wrote: »

Cinema in Shannon would be the most obvious IMO

I do like the idea of that sports bar too though.

I'd say a second cinema in Ennis would do even better, the one we have is ridiculously over priced and cramped. No leg room and I wouldn't consider myself a big person. People would pay for a bit of comfort and wouldn't have to be in the town center, I think that makes it even more awkward.

ulinbac · 07-05-2011 05:50PM

Not too sure about a second cinema in Ennis.

Don't think we have the population and there are loads of people that go in to Limerick be it by the Crescent or Storm cinema in Castletroy which is a good cinema with comfy chairs that lean back a little, comfort

poppyvalley · 07-05-2011 06:22PM

Dog trainers. When a new pup arrives,I'd like a person to call daily and train him/her the usual thing like obeying commands etc., like Geena Davis in that film not sure the name "accidental tourist."..I think

Lady Chatterton · 07-05-2011 07:41PM

I reckon that there could be a good living made from assembling flat pack furniture. Lots of people are buying furniture from IKEA and Argos these days but they might not be able to assemble it.

Daniel S · 07-05-2011 07:49PM

ulinbac wrote: »

"I want to start a bakery because I like eating cakes ".

I want to start a brothel because I like...

Also, those suggesting KFC... em,

KFC =/= Fried Chicken lol!

Shapey Fiend · 07-05-2011 09:02PM

I know a couple of guys that are furniture makers, really hard make any money at it.

Indie cinema in Cork couldn't make a go of it so Ennis is out of the question. Glor crowds for their movie nights were very inconsistant.

Grind schools an idea i've thought of before. Huge demand there and government pay the salaries so you're laughing.

Sports bar idea is very interesting. Seems like a no brainer if you had the money to open it.

I think a casino/slot machine place in shannon would do well. When any attempt to start a cinema there gets blocked i can't see how you'd be allowed to do it though. Maybe cos it's not for kids you'd get away with it.

Daniel S · 07-05-2011 09:57PM

Go-kart track, or if you have the money, a track for cars. Track days are serious €€€.

ulinbac · 07-05-2011 11:16PM

mtb_kng wrote: »

Go-kart track, or if you have the money, a track for cars. Track days are serious €€€.

Theres a Go-Kart Track in Limerick by Harvey Norman on the Tipperary Road (Delta Index Park), think is does ok but seems like one of those things that you do once and not again as its expensive.

Track day is good but designing the track and insurance (public liability) would be crazy. The nearest competition though is Mondello (may be wrong, feel free to correct that), so potential profit is LARGE.

Poxyshamrock · 08-05-2011 01:10AM

ulinbac wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Mine would be a grinds school because I have a degree and masters in maths, thought grinds throughout my college years to pay for college and my students all received honours. Great feeling when they get their results also. It was a good niche market at the time as I knew from coming out of secondary, all those years ago, that the majority of maths teachers in town we poor at best and ended up teaching myself LC honours maths.

Thanks

There's already Julie Kilmartin's on Bindon Street which seems popular enough.

buck65 · 09-05-2011 10:21AM

Shapey Fiend wrote: »

Indie cinema in Cork couldn't make a go of it so Ennis is out of the question. Glor crowds for their movie nights were very inconsistant.

I think a casino/slot machine place in shannon would do well. When any attempt to start a cinema there gets blocked i can't see how you'd be allowed to do it though. Maybe cos it's not for kids you'd get away with it.

I know Kino well and often went there, truth be told it was a bit of a kip. My idea woould also incorporate a cafe/bar with live music (another thing sorely lacking). don't talk to me about Glor. Is that the worst bar in the town? And the movies they showed were all available on DVD.
What about all the decent movies that are available in the IFC Dublin that most never get a chance to see?
I would have the cinema open 2 nights with live music afterwards. And the cafe open all week.
There is potential in this town with tourists etc. Not all of them want to be in a large pub where there is a bit of trad down the corner.
Bring the trad or jazz or rock to a stage, also a comedy night with decent acts now and again.
Where do I sign up?

CptSternn · 09-05-2011 11:15AM

ulinbac wrote: »

Theres a Go-Kart Track in Limerick by Harvey Norman on the Tipperary Road (Delta Index Park), think is does ok but seems like one of those things that you do once and not again as its expensive.

Track day is good but designing the track and insurance (public liability) would be crazy. The nearest competition though is Mondello (may be wrong, feel free to correct that), so potential profit is LARGE.

A car track would be just like a go-cart track in that sense sure. I take my bike up to mondello on occasion and it's €149 for a few hours. I dunno what they charge for cars there on days when they allow them, but I know the car track racing classes they teach run a bit over €500 a day, so I would say it as a hobby is much more restrictive from a cost stand point than even go-carts.

Would there really be enough people in or around Clare to support something that costs that much per use?

Shapey Fiend · 09-05-2011 11:55AM

buck65 wrote: »

I know Kino well and often went there, truth be told it was a bit of a kip. My idea woould also incorporate a cafe/bar with live music (another thing sorely lacking). don't talk to me about Glor. Is that the worst bar in the town? And the movies they showed were all available on DVD.
What about all the decent movies that are available in the IFC Dublin that most never get a chance to see?
I would have the cinema open 2 nights with live music afterwards. And the cafe open all week.
There is potential in this town with tourists etc. Not all of them want to be in a large pub where there is a bit of trad down the corner.
Bring the trad or jazz or rock to a stage, also a comedy night with decent acts now and again.
Where do I sign up?

Cinema screens cos a fortune you couldn't get by with two days a week. I used to go to Kino the whole time and if it was shabby that's because the margins were so tight. Their film choices were always pretty fantastic. Ticket prices were dead cheap too.

The Eye Cinema in Galway have a small art house screen with a bar. I've went to see a lot of films there and they're massively under attended. There's often only a couple of other people there at an evening showing... which is why their arthouse film showings have gotten so sporadic lately and I often don't see anything that isn't on in the Empire in Ennis when I'm there. I'm crazy about the IFC but it only works because it's in Dublin. Their newer rival the Lighthouse cinema are probably going to go under in the next few months if they don't get a bailout off the Arts board.

I'd like to see a venue in Ennis with a proper stage.. like a smaller version of Dolans Warehouse in Limerick.. but with Glor putting on shows and Queens booking acts and putting them on in the nightclub I'd say you'd get squeezed pretty badly. You'd realistically need a late licence as well. Hard to draw people away from the Knoxes/Queens/Patricks I wouldn't like to be trying to open a pub/venue right now.

Nevermind_ · 09-05-2011 04:36PM

ulinbac wrote: »

Sports bar seems like a great idea, tv's look great also. Where would it go in town though? A place like Knox's would be a great type of spot

this was tried already in ennis about 8 or 9 years ago by derek o connor when he had grace macarthys. Spent a lot of money kitting it out properly with all the tvs etc but it failed miserably.
i wouldnt open a pub in this economy even if i won euromillions!

Shapey Fiend · 10-05-2011 11:26AM

Gracies was the spot about 10 years ago when I was 18. Don't get why it got unpopular laterly.

I always hated it at the time because the music was horrible and played a ear bleeding volume.

Darren8525 · 13-05-2011 10:39PM

A proper Garden Centre like they have in the UK lots of them out of town on the major roads like the new M18 u get trade from Galway and Limerick. They sell usual garden stuff plus cafe and pet stuff then at christmas are full of christmas stuff. Lots of gift and household stuff all year round.

kollegeknight · 14-05-2011 12:09AM

a brewery... the banner brewery... i like beer

redhot · 27-05-2011 08:24PM

- A window cleaning round
- cross sell other cleaning services (eg clean gutters and fascia)

A very rare sight. Lots of large houses around requiring such services from a reliable trustworthy local person. With monthly recurring billing and guaranteed attendance (ie not here one moment, and fail to show up two months in a row)

redhot · 27-05-2011 08:30PM

factory unit rental by the day (lots of empty units), handy for: temp storage, maybe a DIY clutch replacement on the car, fly the remote control helicoptor indoors, remote control cars, setup the scalextric for a couple of days, or special fundraising event, boot/garage sale for a few friends, skateboarding, or count the cash from a bank robbery ;-)

CptSternn · 29-05-2011 08:21AM

The bigger question would be, if you wanted to open a business, and had a good idea, would the local powers that be allow you to?

http://www.clarechampion.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6357%3Aa-bazaar-125m-fine-warning-&catid=74%3Ageneral&Itemid=60

This is sad for many reasons.

First, everyone knows the new hostel in town, well newly rebuilt. They have office space available, but can't use it. Why? They tried to let a shop open there but it was blocked by the council. Apparently there are enough shops in town (i.e. a convenience shop that sold bits and bobs like say Heaslips).

I know of at least two different people who tried opening pubs in town at locations where there were formerly pubs in the past two years, again, the council shot them down and they were told there were enough pubs in town.

We now see yet another enterprising person trying to help the local economy and open another avenue and they too are shot down.

Unless you have connections to the council in Ennis, you won't get a new business opened here anytime soon. If you are able to cough up enough cash and buy your way into the old boys club here, expect local businesses to use anti-competitive tactics to shut you down, not that the council cares (just think about the space where May Kearneys was sure).

Opening a business in Ennis today is not a good idea for many reasons. It irks me to see the council complaining about the lack of business, yet actively stymies businesses in town when they try to get ahead.

I mean, their answer to fixing the local economy is to charge local businesses €75 a week for advise on how to fix their businesses.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2011/0521/1224297433356.html?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4dd92cbe4379b216%2C0

Yeah, charge another fee to the small local businesses in efforts to get them back in the black, thats a great idea.

If you could start a business in Clare now what would it be and why?

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