ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES have called for Quin Road Business Park to be given a facelift.
Noting that the Business Park on the outskirts of Ennis was “a very busy and important economic centre in which businesses provide essential retail services to Clare customers and significant employment,” Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) appealed for Shannon Group, Clare County Council and the Ennis Municipal District to urgently look at upgrading it in terms of customer, worker and business owner experience.
Specifically he suggested the creation of a biodiversity or recreational area on vacant sites at the left hand side of the entrance, improved pedestrian access, improved cycling access, bus usage for Local Link, consistent and improved signage, improved litter and environmental control, improved public lighting and footpaths plus improved traffic control and speed limits.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis MD, Cllr Flynn voiced his frustration with the current conditions including the lack of linkage between footpaths and the poorly functioning street lights which leave workers travelling to their place of employment in the dark. He was also annoyed that Shannon Group did not apply a rates waiver during the pandemic when the County Council did.
He outlined that businesses had hoped a property management agency would take over the Business Park prior to the economic collapse. “We need to try create a sustainable future, it looks very broken and piecemeal, it needs a significant investment,” Flynn said. He calculated that it was creating up to €100,000 for Shannon Group per annum and a higher amount for the Council.
“Quin Rd Business Park is vital for the lifeblood of Ennis,” Cllr Pat Daly (FF) commented, he agreed that improved footpaths and public transport options would benefit the area. Support was voiced by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) as he seconded the proposal. Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) stated, “the business park does need a facelift”.
Putting a biodiversity aspect into the Business Park would be “a great idea,” Cllr Mary Howard (FG) believed. Employees have no place to sit outside when having their lunch in the Business Park, she flagged, “we’ve learned to change our habits over the last two years, workers would like to have some bit of comfort when sitting out having their lunch”. The road surface was another issue, she raised.
Senior executive officer, Leonore O’Neill told councillors the Business Park was not in the ownership of Clare County Council but said she would endeavour to work with Shannon Commercial Properties. Eamon O’Dea, senior executive engineer explained that different blocks are under the ownership of Shannon Group not the Council which can limit their ability to do road improvements.
