Clonmel Thread

Loughc · 26-09-2011 5:07pm

alexmcred wrote: »

Big problem Clonmel has always had is very high rents for property in the town itself. It also doesn't help that the Council never reviewed rates in line with the downward trend of turnover a lot of businesses have experienced but in this respect it is not alone.

I agree 100% with that post, the high rent set by the owner of the O'Connell Mall drove all of the businesses in there out, including the delicious Dick's Deli. The guys from Golden Discs were telling me, its cheaper to rent the much larger lot in the showgrounds than it was in O'Connell Street.

While I understand the passing trade wouldn't be the same, it is just for pure greed that caused him to hike up the rent. They should have broker a deal for the loyal businesses that had been renting off him for years.

The County Council are also a disgrace with the Commercial rates, last year they increased the rates for the businesses in the town centre, which is madness when their trade is down.

archtech · 26-09-2011 8:15pm

lockie1983 wrote: »

I agree 100% with that post, the high rent set by the owner of the O'Connell Mall drove all of the businesses in there out, including the delicious Dick's Deli. The guys from Golden Discs were telling me, its cheaper to rent the much larger lot in the showgrounds than it was in O'Connell Street.

Most letting concluded within the last 2-3 years, have been far more favourable to the tenants than in the past. Many are getting discounted deals in the showgrounds from what I've heard. And its happened elsewhere in the town too in the recent past.

lockie1983 wrote: »

While I understand the passing trade wouldn't be the same, it is just for pure greed that caused him to hike up the rent. They should have broker a deal for the loyal businesses that had been renting off him for years.

The owership of the O'Connell Mall changed hands during the latter years of the boom, as far as I know for mad money, so obviously the owners wanted a return on their investment, little did they think that there was a recession around the corner. It would properly have a good occupancy still had it not been bought, and still have reasonable rents. At the end of the day most developers are nothing other than gamblers by another name.

lockie1983 wrote: »

The County Council are also a disgrace with the Commercial rates, last year they increased the rates for the businesses in the town centre, which is madness when their trade is down.

Are you surprised really, local government (and central government) are out of touch and seldom see the bigger picture, in that lower rates might actually see more property occupied, paying affordable rates and encourage growth than putting pressure on existing business. The elected officials have a big part to play in the rates, as they ultimately decide it. Have to agree it is off the wall stuff.

galteeboy · 29-09-2011 10:43am

Am working in Clonmel and thinking of joining a gym as need to stay in shape but dont know which one would be the best choice. Hoping that someone here could help

Loughc · 29-09-2011 1:57pm

galteeboy wrote: »

Am working in Clonmel and thinking of joining a gym as need to stay in shape but dont know which one would be the best choice. Hoping that someone here could help

Personally I think the Clonmel Swimming Pool gym is the best, there's a separate cardio and a separate weights room, you can purchase single or monthly tickets so you're not tied into an annual fee.

Saying that I know the other gyms in town have come down in price. I just prefer the Clonmel Swimming Pool gym for its location and the monthly tickets.

Royco · 30-09-2011 5:56pm

lockie1983 wrote: »

Great news if true, but I'll believe it when I see it, especially after how long Bank of Ireland in O'Connell Street sat idle. But I really hope I'm wrong!

The two new stores coming to Clonmel town Centre are Holland & Barrett and the British discount store Dealz.

cml387 · 30-09-2011 6:27pm

Another pound shop. Hurrah.

Loughc · 30-09-2011 7:33pm

Royco wrote: »

The two new stores coming to Clonmel town Centre are Holland & Barrett and the British discount store Dealz.

Weird choice of shops, but good news for the town in general!

alexmcred · 30-09-2011 8:46pm

Holland & Barrett will be a good addition but I think the town is saturated in discount stores

dave.. · 30-09-2011 9:51pm

The O'Connell Mall, Birthdays and The River Island building among others are owned by the same people. Then also bought up property in other towns when the Celtic Tiger was roaring and the banks were handing out money for fun. There is 2 or 3 involved, one is from Clonmel and has a Opticians that often have 2 for 1 offers.

Like it was already mentioned Holland & Barrett are going into Birthdays and a large English discount store is going into the O'Connell Mall (99p Store).

Someone mentioned another discount store Dealz. I think that is going into the old Tesco centre but as far as I know that is not meant to be open till next March. The owner of that building won't be too impressed if the O'Connell Mall discount store opens first.

Anyway as for the town centre itself its looking more and more like an English High Street every year.

alexmcred · 01-10-2011 12:21am

dave.. wrote: »

Anyway as for the town centre itself its looking more and more like an English High Street every year.

Unfortunately that is the way most Irish towns are heading.

questionmark? · 01-10-2011 12:27am

dave.. wrote: »

The O'Connell Mall, Birthdays and The River Island building among others are owned by the same people. Then also bought up property in other towns when the Celtic Tiger was roaring and the banks were handing out money for fun. There is 2 or 3 involved, one is from Clonmel and has a Opticians that often have 2 for 1 offers.

Like it was already mentioned Holland & Barrett are going into Birthdays and a large English discount store is going into the O'Connell Mall (99p Store).

Someone mentioned another discount store Dealz. I think that is going into the old Tesco centre but as far as I know that is not meant to be open till next March. The owner of that building won't be too impressed if the O'Connell Mall discount store opens first.

Anyway as for the town centre itself its looking more and more like an English High Street every year.

He isnt happy at the moment either. He/the family are sitting on quite a bit of land in the town. How the loans are being maintained is a mystery.

Royco · 02-10-2011 1:41pm

tippspur wrote: »

Yeah,I heard the actual owners are running the place now aswel.

Yea owners are back in Kate ryans again called in the weekend have to say it's gone down hill alot didn't like the crowd in there didn't feel safe pity as last couple did a great job there sorting out customers won't be back

touts · 03-10-2011 7:16am

dave.. wrote: »

Anyway as for the town centre itself its looking more and more like an English High Street every year.

When you compare the quality of the English High Streets with large brands stocking a wide range of good produce with the average Irish high street which still contain shops run by the elderly couple Mary & Mick who last updated their signage and in some cases stock for the visit of the bishop in 1967 I say welcome to more English High Street shops.

DT100 · 04-10-2011 12:11pm

I was heading up town on Sunday and saw MacMahon's shoes are moving out of O' Connell street and relocating to Mitchell street.They have been beside the Bookcentre as long as I can remember.

Loughc · 04-10-2011 2:02pm

DT100 wrote: »

I was heading up town on Sunday and saw MacMahon's shoes are moving out of O' Connell street and relocating to Mitchell street.They have been beside the Bookcentre as long as I can remember.

From what I hear the rent in Mitchell street was a fraction of the price of O'Connell Street, although it will be strange no longer seeing the place on O'Connell Street, at least they won't be shutting down completely, and hopefully the relocation will mean they can survive for a long time, cause its good to see local businesses survive.

charlemont · 04-10-2011 2:07pm

questionmark? wrote: »

He isnt happy at the moment either. He/the family are sitting on quite a bit of land in the town. How the loans are being maintained is a mystery.

Delighted for him, A bloody gangster is what he is..He had a good opportunity to make serious money off the land on the Davis Road for a housing development several years ago but he held out as he hoped the prices would rise plus I don't think he wanted the construction noise to bother him.

Royco · 04-10-2011 4:35pm

DT100 wrote: »

I was heading up town on Sunday and saw MacMahon's shoes are moving out of O' Connell street and relocating to Mitchell street.They have been beside the Bookcentre as long as I can remember.

I know that the shoe shop was part of the plan when construction begins on clonmel arms just wondering is there going to be movement on the hotel now their vacating pity to see the clonmel arms in that state

questionmark? · 04-10-2011 11:17pm

charlemont wrote: »

Delighted for him, A bloody gangster is what he is..He had a good opportunity to make serious money off the land on the Davis Road for a housing development several years ago but he held out as he hoped the prices would rise plus I don't think he wanted the construction noise to bother him.

What land on the Davis Road is still open for Development? All the sites are built on/being built on/cant be built on, on the river side at least. Not much left on the other side either.

charlemont · 04-10-2011 11:29pm

questionmark? wrote: »

What land on the Davis Road is still open for Development? All the sites are built on/being built on/cant be built on, on the river side at least. Not much left on the other side either.

The site I'm referring to is behind the Shell station, Have a look on OSI Mapviewer and see how big it actually is, I seen the plans myself several years back..

http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,621420,623009,7,0

Vizzy · 05-10-2011 12:02am

He seems to have given up on the idea as he bought a house on Powerstown road which would have been ideal for him to get an exit from the site(it is unlikely that he would get permission to come out on to the Waterford road) but he applied for PP last week( to the wrong authority in my opinion) to South Tipp Co Co for planning permission to do a major redevelopment of it.

touts · 05-10-2011 6:59am

lockie1983 wrote: »

From what I hear the rent in Mitchell street was a fraction of the price of O'Connell Street, although it will be strange no longer seeing the place on O'Connell Street, at least they won't be shutting down completely, and hopefully the relocation will mean they can survive for a long time, cause its good to see local businesses survive.

Delighted to see a business finally telling their existing landlords to go swing and just move their shelves and stock a few hundred meters to a more realistic landlord. Financial "experts" on the radio have talked about it for ages but few businesses actually do it and instead opt to hang on and go bust in the long run. Hopefully this will send a message out that it is possible.

DT100 · 05-10-2011 1:08pm

Now Boutique is gone from O' Connell street to Gladstone street.If I am remembering right,they were on Gladstone street at some stage earlier?

Royco · 05-10-2011 2:29pm

DT100 wrote: »

Now Boutique is gone from O' Connell street to Gladstone street.If I am remembering right,they were on Gladstone street at some stage earlier?

Now started in o connell st and moved a number of years ago to Gladstone st where anglims had clothes shop beside sheilas corner where they are still trading there shop in o connell st became nada ( same owners). Maybe your referring to wurlitzler which has closed in o connell st

DT100 · 05-10-2011 11:40pm

Royco wrote: »

Now started in o connell st and moved a number of years ago to Gladstone st where anglims had clothes shop beside sheilas corner where they are still trading there shop in o connell st became nada ( same owners). Maybe your referring to wurlitzler which has closed in o connell st

You are 100% correct Royco...I had a brain wobble typing that:)

archtech · 08-10-2011 5:34pm

charlemont wrote: »

The site I'm referring to is behind the Shell station, Have a look on OSI Mapviewer and see how big it actually is, I seen the plans myself several years back..

http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,621420,623009,7,0

Vizzy wrote: »

He seems to have given up on the idea as he bought a house on Powerstown road which would have been ideal for him to get an exit from the site(it is unlikely that he would get permission to come out on to the Waterford road) but he applied for PP last week( to the wrong authority in my opinion) to South Tipp Co Co for planning permission to do a major redevelopment of it.

The owners of the site in question, have outline permission to construct 8 serviced sites on part of the site. There are some legal issues which have obstructed the development of the site in the past, hence it wasn't developed within the boom. I know that another developer make a planning application on the site 12-15 years ago and ran into lots of legal and planning problems including several objections.

dahat · 08-10-2011 5:57pm

Any truth behind DID taking over Slatterys aka Vision store........

dave.. · 09-10-2011 3:29pm

I was up in the Poppyfields today and D.I.D. Electrical is gone into Slatterys. It is opening up during the week. I also saw the Ad in the Sunday world.

pooch90 · 09-10-2011 5:40pm

Was there as well today, sad to see anywhere close down. Are Slattery's relocating or just closing?

touts · 10-10-2011 7:43am

dave.. wrote: »

I was up in the Poppyfields today and D.I.D. Electrical is gone into Slatterys. It is opening up during the week. I also saw the Ad in the Sunday world.

Sad to see an old name from Clonmel's past go down to a major chain but at least the shop is still being kept open as an electronics store and hopefully the staff will be kept on.

Dalmation 1 · 10-10-2011 2:19pm

I have been told that is basically Slattery`s trading as D.I.D electrical. Same owner and same staff. It will be good for the complex to have a large brand name tenant.

dahat · 11-10-2011 9:42pm

Clonmel Healthcare aka Stada Ireland is up for sale a good while and by all accounts the site is in bother.
Next 4/6 months will be crucial for its survival,current owners want out and have started product transfer to Serbia

DT100 · 11-10-2011 10:26pm

I passed down O' Connell street today and noticed the Fuji photo shop beside the Bookcentre is closed.How long is that gone?

Vizzy · 11-10-2011 10:48pm

18 months,maybe a bit more

ReacherCreature · 12-10-2011 11:30am

DT100 wrote: »

I passed down O' Connell street today and noticed the Fuji photo shop beside the Bookcentre is closed.How long is that gone?

You been livin' under a rock DT?

Fionn · 12-10-2011 2:22pm

142 jobs gone with the announcement by the electrical group JRE Group that it is to cease trading. Big blow to the economy of the town.

and

we have the threat of Kickham Barracks closing as well - not good

heres a pic of the committee and some of the attendance at the public meeting to prevent the closure of the barracks;

TimmyTarmac · 12-10-2011 4:35pm

Tipperary South - a consitituency with 2 independent TDs and a 1 government backbencher. Not much clout there alas.
Defense minister Alan Shatter won't have to knock on doors in Clonmel or Carrick next time out.

Doesn't look good for keeping that Barracks open as a result, unless it has some strategic importance.

charlemont · 12-10-2011 4:49pm

Yes, The barracks wont be saved, Not exactly like Clonmel is going to be attacked anytime soon, The St Michaels closure should be a bigger issue as it will affect the town in a greater way.

tippspur · 13-10-2011 11:30pm

Mr Binman in trouble now.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/600-jobs-at-risk-as-examiner-appointed-to-waste-company-2904547.html

Royco · 13-10-2011 11:38pm

DT100 wrote: »

I passed down O' Connell street today and noticed the Fuji photo shop beside the Bookcentre is closed.How long is that gone?

Looking at the corner of o connell St and Gladstone St it's starting to look pretty grim, on o connell St the photo shop, mc Mahon shoes, wulizter, national Irish bank, birthdays, o connell mall all vacant then on Gladstone St there's Miriam halleys, options, a shop beside premier meats all closed dwn and not forgetting the Clonmel arms hotel. Glamerous fashion shop beside knick knack shop closing as well, Worse this town is getting without sign of recovery as one shop opens two close down, that area of town has the largest footfall yet there's something seriously wrong there any ideas ?? Is it rents or rates that's causing problems ?? Personally I think it's borough council rates,

alexmcred · 13-10-2011 11:54pm

Rates is a big issue for businesses in town at the min added to that are water rates as well.

So glad that our councilors are still being paid stupid money plus their expenses they are really earning it

. Time our councillors stop being paid, and the money they are being paid should be paid into the council in an effort to reduce rate on struggling businesses.

Present Time closing should have been the sign they needed to sort out the mess that is rates

iceage · 14-10-2011 10:16am

And don't get me started on the closure of Kickham Barracks! The Mayor, God bless his cotton socks.... What a complete waste and space and Oxygen.

Oh and as a by the way.....What twat thought up the hike in the parking rate in most of Clonmel from €1 to €1.20! The last Mayor, another waste of space when quizzed on it could only smile, dodge the issue and completely change the subject! Wasters.

touts · 14-10-2011 11:01am

Can someone please explain to me why a few lads running around playing soldiers is so critical to the town at a time when more vital services like the hospital is under threat. What exactly does the barracks bring to Clonmel beyond a few extra lads shopping in Tesco? I feel much more worried about the actual industries closing down around the town than the barracks. As a taxpayer I just dont see the Army as value for money. At this point it must be the most expensive form of social welfare in the world. Even if we pensioned them all off on full salaries (and therefore they would still be around the town spending their money) we still would save tens of millions annually on equipment, facilities etc.

DT100 · 14-10-2011 12:43pm

ReacherCreature wrote: »

You been livin' under a rock DT?

Is specsavers still in the same place?:)

iceage · 14-10-2011 10:15pm

Yes I can Touts..How long have you got? But by the sounds of your post I'd be totally wasting my time, wouldn't I?

touts · 15-10-2011 11:52am

iceage wrote: »

Yes I can Touts..How long have you got? But by the sounds of your post I'd be totally wasting my time, wouldn't I?

If someone can make a coherent realistic argument as to why it makes economic sense to keep the barracks open then no it would not a waste of your time. However if you are going to make the typical incoherent unrealistic waffle about some vague potential benefits to the local economy then yes you will be wasting your time and more importantly you will be wasting ours.

ReacherCreature · 15-10-2011 4:31pm

touts wrote: »

Can someone please explain to me why a few lads running around playing soldiers is so critical to the town at a time when more vital services like the hospital is under threat.

Ignorance.

What exactly does the barracks bring to Clonmel beyond a few extra lads shopping in Tesco?

I think you're understating the impact this closure may have. You're talking about dozens of parents, families, spouses suffering.

DaveJac · 15-10-2011 4:51pm

Its closing, but are most of the people not being relocated to kilkenny and other places around i herd could be wrong?? so hopefully might not have too much of an impact in clonmel

iceage · 15-10-2011 7:12pm

Correct Davejac Kilkenny is one of them. Kickham seems to be only one barracks on a list of others facing closure.

Its impact will be felt for sure thoughout the town as well as the families being directly effected lets not forget about the beleagued businesses and traders of the town that have been dealing with the barracks for countless numbers of years and rely on them heavily for their trade not to mention all the other Civvie empoyees of the barracks. This is just another kick in the teeth and I reckon that we're going to see more businesses closing their doors as a direct effect of the closure, a point I fear that touts has missed altogether I reckon.

Touts you have a right to your opinion this is after all an open forum and as to your point about the hospital I totally agree you are correct. But..

As to the industries that surround Clonmel, which do you refer too? Is it Boston who rattled recently but settled everyone's cough with a cheque for millions recently.. Said mayor reckons he had a hand in it. Did he f*ck. Is it Abbott who advertised and took on 95 people with the majority from outside the town! MSD down the round also just opened their new R&D extension worth X million yoyos as well. All three Company's are Pharma/medical devices and American and were enticed and suckled for the tax incentives that this Country offers but lets not forget what happened when Seagate upped sticks and swanned off shall we.

If I was to have a bitch about "local Industries" I'd be more put out about the likes of company's such as JRE who just folded with the loss of 147 employees and what does the powers that be concentrate on? The latest extension to the waste of space white elephant that is the Showgrounds.. of course that's what clonmel needs, more takeaways, Womens fashion boutiques and bloody €2 discount stores.

As to your description of what the Army does and Kickham Barracks's, how did you put it "a few lads running around playing soldiers input to the local economy of Clonmel smacks of ill informed drivel and truthfully a very narrow minded outlook. Either that or your just trying to cause an argument, which is it?

touts · 15-10-2011 9:11pm

iceage wrote: »

Correct Davejac Kilkenny is one of them. Kickham seems to be only one barracks on a list of others facing closure.

Its impact will be felt for sure thoughout the town as well as the families being directly effected lets not forget about the beleagued businesses and traders of the town that have been dealing with the barracks for countless numbers of years and rely on them heavily for their trade not to mention all the other Civvie empoyees of the barracks. This is just another kick in the teeth and I reckon that we're going to see more businesses closing their doors as a direct effect of the closure, a point I fear that touts has missed altogether I reckon.

Touts you have a right to your opinion this is after all an open forum and as to your point about the hospital I totally agree you are correct. But..

As to the industries that surround Clonmel, which do you refer too? Is it Boston who rattled recently but settled everyone's cough with a cheque for millions recently.. Said mayor reckons he had a hand in it. Did he f*ck. Is it Abbott who advertised and took on 95 people with the majority from outside the town! MSD down the round also just opened their new R&D extension worth X million yoyos as well. All three Company's are Pharma/medical devices and American and were enticed and suckled for the tax incentives that this Country offers but lets not forget what happened when Seagate upped sticks and swanned off shall we.

If I was to have a bitch about "local Industries" I'd be more put out about the likes of company's such as JRE who just folded with the loss of 147 employees and what does the powers that be concentrate on? The latest extension to the waste of space white elephant that is the Showgrounds.. of course that's what clonmel needs, more takeaways, Womens fashion boutiques and bloody €2 discount stores.

As to your description of what the Army does and Kickham Barracks's, how did you put it "a few lads running around playing soldiers input to the local economy of Clonmel smacks of ill informed drivel and truthfully a very narrow minded outlook. Either that or your just trying to cause an argument, which is it?

So it's won't someone think of the families. JRE folded and put 145 families on the dole and it hardly got a mention here. But the Barracks that must be important because..... well because it must be.

I ask again why is the barracks that important. If we pensioned off the lads in there on full pensions (even full pay) we would save millions in equipment and upkeep (very little of which I suspect is manufactured in Clonmel or is contracted to Clonmel businesses). That wouldn't hurt the families and would still save the taxpayer a lot of money. And if we stood down the army in Clonmel it is not as if the Huns will come streaming through the unguarded Vee. Arm more Gardai and I can see no need for the Army.

So tell me why is the barracks important to Clonmel. What is the economic benefit and what is the strategic benefit. I see little of either but am willing to listen if someone can put forward a sensible coherent argument.

ReacherCreature · 16-10-2011 2:48pm

touts wrote: »

So it's won't someone think of the families.

Obviously it's a factor.

I ask again why is the barracks that important. If we pensioned off the lads in there on full pensions (even full pay) we would save millions in equipment and upkeep (very little of which I suspect is manufactured in Clonmel or is contracted to Clonmel businesses). That wouldn't hurt the families and would still save the taxpayer a lot of money. And if we stood down the army in Clonmel it is not as if the Huns will come streaming through the unguarded Vee. Arm more Gardai and I can see no need for the Army.

It's actually ironic touts. You ask for this:

I see little of either but am willing to listen if someone can put forward a sensible coherent argument.

and then put forward a ridiculously irrelevant piece of history forward that has zero context.

Clonmel Thread

Comments