OPINION: 'Time to put Tipperary Town centre first,' writes Martin Quinn

The closure of one shop on the Main Street is a major blow but the closure of two at the same time is devastating news for Tipperary Town. 

Judging by posts on Facebook I think it is fair to say that the town is reeling from the news of the closure of Wellworths and of Kingston’s. 

The closing down sale notices on the windows of both shops, which are located so close together, brings home the harsh reality of the struggles of a small business trying to stay afloat while dealing with so many challenges. Among the issues is  the lack of footfall for businesses along the Main Street and the well documented problem of traffic congestion through the town and the inability for people to stop and shop. 

Constant tailbacks on either side of the town, from the Limerick direction and from the Cashel/Dublin side, tell their own story, while negotiating the side streets particularly at busy times such as school time, are a complete nightmare. People will admire the shops as they crawl through the town but how many of them will stop to browse or to avail of refreshments? 

I would wager that very few of them would stop as they would find difficulty parking along with not wanting to delay their journey even further.  You may say that the growth of business on the outskirts of the town has a role to play in the demise of business along the Main Street and while that is possibly true, you have to balance that with the numbers employed in businesses along the Limerick Road right up to the Dunnes shopping complex/Supermacs off the Limerick Road roundabout, in total estimated to be in the region of 500 employees. 

However it should not be a scenario of them at the expense of us, so it is time to look at approaches that will help to revitalise the town centre. 

We are stuck with the traffic situation whether we like it or not so we have to look at alternatives to save our Main Street. In February last the Government launched a first ever Town Centre First policy. 

This is exactly what Tipperary Town needs right now. Roscrea was the town put forward for this initiative last year and they have their plans up and running and their Town Regeneration Officer in place. I am not sure if the Tipperary Town Task Force is working towards this objective but I believe that this is the way forward if we are to breathe new life into the town again. 

We have to tackle the vacancy rates in the town and ensure that the existing businesses can be supported as much as possible. 

From what I could see on Facebook there is enormous regret at the closures and particularly so in the case of Wellworths, where Tony and Maureen Walsh did everything possible to keep their business afloat. It is really poignant that last week I reported on the Christmas window displays and the fact that Wellworths were judged as winners of the Best Christmas Window, and this week I am reporting on their closure.  

It is a sad day for Tipp Town and particularly so for Tony and Maureen and their staff and for the staff in Kingstons. Staff in both places have given many years of service and we thank them sincerely for that and wish them the very best in the future. 

I mentioned that there was enormous regret in posts on Facebook but there is also a good deal of disillusionment, lack of hope and some anger being expressed at the perceived lack of action by the relevant authorities. I think that it is past the time to do exactly what the Government policy says and to put Tipperary Town Centre First.

Written by Martin Quinn