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Towns in Tipperary failed to make the top 25 of the 2012 review, carried out by Retail Excellence Ireland (REI).
All towns reviewed nationally were rated on factors relating:- Car Parking & Costs, Restaurants and Public Houses, the choice of availability of Retail Stores, Safety, and Retailer Friendliness. REI stopped short of naming & shaming the ‘bottom 25′ of the 100 towns surveyed, instead breaking the bottom 75 towns and cities into second, third and fourth quartiles.
See how Co Tipperary fared, highlighted in RED:-
The top 25 towns and cities (See lists above) all had a balanced mix of trading retailers driving customer footfall, thus giving the towns and cities their individual character and personality. While this retail mix was deemed of importance, it was also clear that access to available car parking, at the right price, was also a major attraction for consumers, latter who are prepared to travel even long distances to towns which offer such values.
Two other statistics were also noteworthy:- (A) Better performing towns in this review had all competed successfully in Tidy Towns competitions, perhaps indicating that strong community spirit was vital to town centre growth. Westport for example, which came first, has won the Tidy Towns awards three times in the last ten years. (B) None of the towns which fared best have been exposed to significant out-of-town planning, thus confirming the need for commercial activity to be confined to Tipperary town centres.
Mr Keith Rogers, chairman of Retail Excellence Ireland, stated: “We need to demand our towns have the right ingredients with a suitable mix of convenience, grocery, fashion, health, eateries, public houses and entertainment to ensure citizens are engaged with their civic space and in turn they then support their local town.”
Mr Cormac Kennedy, chairperson of the REI Town and City Revival Committee, believes that the survey can act as a road map for all towns and cities to improve. Mr Kennedy stated “Ultimately, the report gives the feedback from each town’s shoppers and business community so their views should be taken on board. The availability of parking offering good value for money is an important factor for shoppers. In fact, shoppers will determine where they will go shopping purely on the basis of car parking facilities.”
This survey is the largest survey of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland and comprised discussion with 16,000 members of the public and business owners in the 100 towns listed.
 Ten former workers at Tipperary Natural Mineral Water have decided to protest outside the latter Companies Dublin distribution plant, beginning this morning. The workers claim they were forcibly made redundant because they attempted to join a trade-union.
Mr David Whelan, SIPTU former shop-steward at the plant, has stated that he had worked at the Tipperary Natural Mineral Water for four years and over the last few years the management had continuously made deductions and cuts to wages, claiming the company was losing money. Mr Whelan claims that while three of the redundancies were voluntary, ten members of the workforce had been dismissed on the grounds that they were not sufficiently skilled. Mr Whelan also claims that he had no skills yet was working at the plant for four years and ten new temporary staff had been taken on just days after the redundancies were confirmed.
Latest public accounts for M & J Gleeson (Investments) Ltd, indicate that it had a turnover in the last fiscal year of €261 million, with profits of €4.7 million, an increase of €0.2 million on their 2010 declared profits.
The company is involved in bottling and distribution as well as manufacturing products such as freeze pops, soft drinks, cider, cream liqueurs and mineral water.
 At least 47% of Irish consumers struggle to pay all of their bills on time & this figure has remained the same since April 2012.
TV license (17%), TV/ telecoms (8%), bin charges (7%), and electricity (7%) are the bills most likely to be ignored by consumers, while 44% of those who cannot pay their bills on time are worried.
This survey comes courtesy of the second Irish League of Credit Unions ‘What’s Left’ Tracker 2012.
The 12 most interesting facts uncovered in this CU survey’s report include:-
- Irish consumers owe on average €1,100 on their personal Credit card.
- 25% of credit card holders rely on their credit card to make ends meet each month.
- 46% of those with a credit card do not actually know the interest rate charged on their card.
- 1,820,000 people are left with just €100 or less each month, after all bills are paid.
- 40% have borrowed to pay their household bills in the past 12 months, 10% using moneylenders
- 69% of people have less disposable income than 12 months ago, according to the ILCU report.
- Some 79% claim their electricity bills have increased in the past 12 months (€39 on average).
- 75% claim that their gas bill has increased in the past 12 months (€40 on average).
- 42% claim their cable TV bill has increased in the past 12 months (€8 on average).
- 73% claim that their health insurance has increased in the past 12 months (€68 on average).
- 40% of consumers have had to borrow to pay their household bills in the past 12 months.
- Of this group, the largest proportion rely on financial help from family and friends, while 30% use the credit union, 10% rely on their bank and 10% on moneylenders.
Meanwhile Tipperary remains silent as Phil Hogan, (Yes see him of “Soft Loan Fame,”) who publicly admits (January 21st 2012 ‘Sun,’ newspaper) that his recent Household Charge is unjust, continues to pursue his ridiculous €100 + interest charges on the householders in County Tipperary who have not paid this inequitable charge (only 4 out of 10 paid) and are now being branded as “Unpatriotic.”
Meanwhile, talking about being “Unpatriotic,” the Dáil will rise on July 19th and won’t sit again until September 18th. The question must be asked “Why should politicians get 3 months holidays when 90% of the Irish work force will only get a mere 2 weeks?” Politicians will argue that they work over the ‘Summer Recess.” Surely if this is true, they should not have any problem with having their holidays reduced, since it will make no difference to their busy work schedules. Hopefully someone will be watching their expenses sheets with regards to their “Summer Walk About.”
It is interesting to note that our less bankrupt friends across the water, in the Parliament of Westminster, will recess only from the 29th July to 6th September.
Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John H. Watson lived at 221b Baker Street between 1881-1904, well that is according to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. However the Baker Street to which I refer is here in Thurles, Co.Tipperary & well known to locals, who are aware that it offers a shortcut to shoppers between Parnell Street Car Park & Friar Street.
It is also now beginning to be even more recognised for another reason “The Baker Street Food and Craft Fayre,” which now takes place every Saturday from 10.00am-2.00pm.
Originally the brain child of clothing retailer Diarmuid Moran, in his effort to get more ‘foot-fall,’ benefiting businesses on Friar Street, this Saturday market is now beginning to grow, all thanks as Diarmuid admits, to local customer support and the demand by local consumers for ‘today fresh,’ food products, in preference to chlorine washed shelved supermarket produce.
Speaking to Diarmuid Moran, & Town Councillor Gerard Fogarty today, both confirmed that they were extremely surprised by the sudden interest & growth of this market to date.
Councillor Gerard Fogarty stated:- “The Baker Street Food and Craft Fayre in Thurles is already gearing up for the Summer with over ten extra stalls set to join the regular producers, over the Summer months. The Fayre is growing from strength to strength and is open to anyone who may have food or craft items to sell – a stall costs just €10.00 which also covers access to a necessary electricity & water supply.”
“From fresh vegetables to artisan foods and sweets to handmade jewellery, wooden and other crafts, and with live music, the Fayre has something to offer everyone. Based on the pedestrianised Baker Street, just off Liberty Square, Parnell Street and Friar Street, this Fayre offers ample parking spaces, within seconds walking distance, in the adjoining Parnell Street car park,” Councillor Fogarty continued.
Looking to the future, Diarmuid Moran stated:- “Presently we have space for stalls selling fresh Fish, Cheese, Meat, Art Work, Cut Flowers and Savoury Food stuffs, and I have received several enquiries recently to that end, mainly from third level students who find Summer employment difficult to access, due to the economic down-turn and who have real skills particularly in hand crafts.”
Check out our map shown hereunder to find the pedestrianised Old Baker Street Food and Craft Fayre, positioned just off Friar Street.
(Note: Why not drag the Yellow Man, on this map, to a position over “Friar Street,” to view this shopping area or take a tour of Thurles Town.)
[mappress mapid=”13″]
 The Thurles branch of Supermac’s are currently seeking Catering Assistants and Assistant Managers for their branch here in Co Tipperary.
Catering Assistants will be required to provide ongoing support to the Management Team to ensure customers receive only the best quality service and cleanliness, each time they visit Supermac’s restaurant.
The Assistant Manager will assist the overall Management in the smooth running of the Restaurant, whilst also providing leadership to their workforce, dealing with the day to day operations, customer service, people management and food quality.
Applicants will have a minimum of 2 years experience at Supervisory level in the catering/hospitality sector and demonstrate their ability under the following headings:-
- Strong leadership and be a developer of teams.
- Excellent organisational, planning and communication skills.
- Have fluent English and be able to work on a full-time basis.
Overall, the successful candidates should have a good outgoing personality, and enjoy dealing with the public.
To apply for the above opportunities, please send current CV, quoting appropriate job title to HERE or alternatively drop your CV into the Duty Manager here in their Thurles store.
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