|
|
 Aldi, the German discount supermarket giant, have submitted a planning application to set up a new development at the former SuperValu store at Springfort Retail Park, Nenagh Co Tipperary. Aldi purchased the store last month having been refused permission previously to trade at a nearby site, following an objection lodged by Nenagh Chamber of Commerce.
While Nenagh Town Council had previously given the ‘go ahead,’ for Aldi’s previous plan, the Town Council’s decision was further appealed by Nenagh Chamber of Commerce, which, while not opposed to the retail giant coming to Nenagh, argued that the company should find a town centre site for its store. An Bord Pleanála generally accepted this view, and ruled that a peripherally located Aldi would greatly detract from Nenagh’s town centre.
Nenagh Town Council will decide whether or not to grant planning permission in the coming weeks, or may seek further information and clarification from Aldi. Shopkeepers in the town’s centre, in general, are expected to welcome this application, which is basically in line with Nenagh town’s current development plan, latter which strongly recommends that Town planners and Management first protect the town centre, where many business sites are presently available for use. Springfort Retail Park is situated however 1 kilometre to the south-west of Nenagh town centre, on the main Limerick Road
This German owned discount retailer currently operates over 8,000 stores worldwide, of which 84 are based here in Ireland, including one profitable outlet in Thurles.
 There are fears tonight for the future of 30 jobs in Thurles, following plans to close the former Liam Carroll Transport Depot.
MasterLink Logistics, with established warehousing in Dublin, Cork & Galway, who took over some of the work of the failed Liam Carroll Transport Depot in 2010, are understood to have informed their staff this week that the Cabra, plant in Thurles, Co Tipperary, will close with effect from January 29th next.
Former owners of the Liam Carroll Transport Group, which ceased trading over night, due to bad debts and the economic downturn, were immediately taken over by Masterlink Logistics, who stepped into the breach, confirming that it would be recruiting possibly 70 of the then 119 employees, then left jobless as a direct result of Liam Carroll Transports closure.
Reason for the closure of this Masterlink Depot, however is uncertain, but expensive diesel levies, carbon taxes and the lack of any real industry in Thurles, together with a lack of any political will regarding real job creation in the town, a policy carried over from the previous government, are identified as the most likely cause.
Following the Governments Budget announcements of the 6th of December, the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) had expressed extreme disappointed with the failure, to acknowledge the licensed road haulage industry and the contribution the sector made to the overall economy. The Association’s pre-budget submissions were understood to be very practical and had same been implemented, would have resulted in an overall net gain for the Irish exchequer.
Our three local elected politicians to-date, have remained silent over this now expected closure.
 Christmas Lights - Thurles Town Centre It’s Monday afternoon and God knows we need a bit of good news at the start of the working week, here in Thurles.
From a Christmas point of view, I am happy to relate that so far today the signs are looking good.
Joan Pollard Carew, spokesperson for “Thurles Traders Unite,” informs me that the high streets of Thurles will soon ring out to the sounds of seasonal Christmas music. This initative is due in no small way to the hard work and dedication of the members of ‘Thurles Traders Unite,’ a group of high street traders who formed their association, just a few short weeks ago. Shopkeepers have been more than generous in donating money to create a fund, thus in turn enabling this new task force to organise and provide this music and also to further promote high street shopping here in Thurles.
Thurles Town Council have generously given free parking in the towns car parks on the four Saturdays prior to Christmas. (Note: 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th of December only)
Most retail outlets on the Thurles high streets are also offering parking refunds to their customers. (Another innovative idea from “Thurles Traders Unite.”)
Thurles town centre, again this year, boasts some of the best displays of Christmas lighting, anywhere in Ireland. This fabulous display is paid for by all rate paying shops in the town centre. Thurles Town Council took over the management of this project a number of years ago and have been doing such a wonderful job (Thanks John Ryan and Staff) to ensure that our town, in the words of a well known song, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”
Everywhere in the county, because of the present economic situation, most consumers are spending less this year. However, from a consumers point of view, this is beneficial, with shops now on the high streets of Thurles, who incidentally, have a huge selection of retail goods on offer, offering super bargains on individual items. So do make an effort to drop into our town centre and have a good look around. By doing so you help to retain our traditional town centre, while at the same time maximising you own spending power.
On the employment front, some good news also. Noel Coonan TD informs me this morning, that the average waiting time for Garda Vetting procedure, has now fallen from twelve to five weeks waiting time. Justice Minister Alan Shatter has confirmed this reduction which was made possible by the appointment of 20 temporary staff to the Thurles Garda Vetting Unit.
People who were currently undergoing vetting were finding, up to now, this procedure to be a lengthy and delayed process for people who had applied for jobs and in some cases people had been unable to take up a working position, due to these long delays. In September of this year, Minister Shatter said in the Chamber of Leinster House, that he fully appreciated the importance of processing vetting applications within a reasonable time frame and he was determined to address this aspect of the process. The average processing time for applications has now been lessened to five weeks, which is a significant improvement on the average processing time of 12 weeks at the end of last year.
Garda Vetting is carried out by the Garda Central Vetting Unit which is based in Thurles, Co. Tipperary. The Unit processes requests from organisations that have been registered with it, to vet prospective employees including people working with children or vulnerable people.
All in all, not a bad day, let see what tomorrow brings.
“A speech worthy of a wider audience,” was how Tom Noone, the acting Master of Ceremonies, ably described it on Saturday night last, on the occasion of a banquet, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Thurles Credit Union. Fully supporting Tom’s remark, Thurles.Info is proud to publish, in full, the text of this speech, made at this event, by Guest Speaker, Thurles born, Mark Fielding, Chief Executive of ISME.
Note: ISME is the independent organisation for the Irish small and medium business sector, with in excess of 8,500 members nationwide. ISME’s mission is to independently represent, promote and support owner/managers of small and medium enterprises and be vigilant, decisive, and direct in promoting and defending their interests, while helping members to better manage and grow their business through the provision of excellent information and services.
If you are a small business presently seeking direction, a Minister or Politician (regardless of your party affiliations) a Union organiser, then this text is a must read in full, and at least twice. For in this text Mr Mark Fielding amply expresses the most intimate thoughts and feelings of the people of Ireland today, especially in the light of our current financial state.
Read Mark Fielding’s Address:
“Where there is no vision the people perish.“
“The founders of Thurles Credit Union in 1961 had a vision. I would like to congratulate the Thurles Credit Union, Board, Supervisors, Management and Staff and the members themselves on your anniversary, and on the valuable work that you have carried out since the inception of the organisation in 1961.
 Mark Fielding, Chief Executive, ISME. Credit unions are economically important as they mobilise household savings as loans, and socially important, as that they help create community social capital. Guided by that philosophy, the fundamental business purpose is to provide high quality financial services at fair prices to anyone who wants them. By excelling at this purpose, they build the capital reserves needed for sustainability. They are a vital store of intergenerational capital and a facilitator of community social capital.
In time consolidation may see the network consolidate down to less than 100 larger, sustainable credit unions, while maintaining most of the existing branch footprint. Wisely used, state funding will restructure credit unions into a modern credit co-operative system.
Some local politicians have accused Mathew Elderfield of driving people into the arms of loan sharks. Perhaps they should consider why so many credit unions are in financial trouble and why others like Thurles CU are in rude health; why lending has been restricted in some and continues to grow in places like Thurles. It is important to distinguish between a credit union and the people who govern and manage them and here again Thurles is an exemplar.
With the Government and Central Bank intent on stabilising the sector, credit unions need to realise the opportunity it proposes and through prudent management, become a leader in the sector.
When I was asked to speak on this occasion I began to think about what I would have said to a gathering of Thurles people back in 1961, the year of the birth of this fine Credit Union. So Imagine, if you would, what someone like me would say about the FUTURE, back there in 1961, allowing our fancy take flight, looking forward to the next 50 years, back then.
Continue reading Mark Fielding – No Vision People Perish
 Department of Social Protection I suppose it was the day every employer fears, the unexpected arrival mid month, of the officious brown envelope, bearing the insignia of a black harp.
Patrick Ryan, an elderly Tipperary farmer, received such a letter from the Department of Social Protection recently. The letter stated that they suspected he was not paying his employees the Statutory Minimum Wage. The letter further stated that they, the Department, now felt it necessary to send an Inspector to audit Paddy’s affairs and to interview him, personally.
Sure enough, on the appointed day and true to the Department’s promise, a rather stern looking Inspector, complete with heavy black rimmed glasses and matching black leather briefcase, turned up to Paddy’s farmhouse door, apparently oblivious of “Shep,” Paddy’s rather cross and aging sheepdog.
Parking himself on a chair at the kitchen table, he began to interview Paddy. “Tell me Mr Ryan about your present employees, how many staff do have working here on your farm at present? ” he began.
“Well now let me think,” said Paddy, “First I suppose there’s the farm hand, I pays him about €240 a week, and he has the free use of a cottage, its the gate lodge near the entrance, as you drove in.”
“Then of course there’s the housekeeper,” said Paddy, obviously thinking carefully. “Now I believe she gets €190 a week, along with free board and lodgings, here in the main house.”
“Then of course we mustn’t forget the village idiot, he is a bit of a half-wit. He works about 16 hours a day, seven days a week, and does 90% of the manual labour. He earns around €25 a week, or whatever is spare at the time, along with the occasional bottle of whisky thrown in. Oh, and as a special treat, occasionally he is allowed to sleep with my wife.”
“That’s really disgraceful,” said the Inspector, “I would like to interview this half-wit immediately.”
“No problem,” replied Paddy “Sure it will be me you need to talk to then.“
|
Support Us Help keep Thurles.info online by donating below. Thank you.
Total Donated 2026: €290.00
Thank You!
Daily Thurles Mass Livestream
|
Recent Comments