'Shocking shopfronts make this Kildare town look like a 'ghetto'
'They don't care about what an Irish shop should look like'
Parts of Naas town centre have been described as a “ghetto” because of “cheap, low quality signs” on some business premises.
The claim was made by Independent Ireland councillor Bill Clear, who said the signs are "coming in from China” and can be seen in many towns.
He added: “They don’t care about what an Irish shop should look like. They (the shop proprietors) won’t work with us, they shrug their shoulders (when asked about it), they’re an absolute disgrace.”
He told a Naas Municipal District meeting that other businesses in that area of South Main street - like Anderson Jewellers, 33 South Main and Foxe’s shop in thesame area of Naas are excellent examples of what shopfronts should look like in Naas.
“If you let the county town go, you’ll lose it and never get it back,” he said, urging Kildare County Council to take court action.
He added: “Bring one of them to court, it'll put manners on all of them.”
He asked Kildare County Council to "examine the significant unauthorised signage in the area of South Main Street, Naas with a view to enforcing the planning acts and signage policy of KCC.”
However, KCC said it doesn’t have the resources required to conduct a full physical survey of all premises on the street to assess compliance with the regulations.
All complaints must come in writing and will be investigated. This could lead to the issuing of warning letters and enforcement notices.
The meeting was told that once a complaint is received “a file is opened” - but there are only three enforcement officers and 600 cases.
The meeting heard that KCC does not have the resources to look at the street.