Action needed to rescue our 'terminal' town
Drogheda and District Chamber took the unprecedented move of calling a crisis meeting for the town's businesspeople last week, in an attempt to formulate a rescue plan for West Street and surrounding areas
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Wednesday March 17 2010
'WE require actions, not words, to save Drogheda from this terminal illness'.
The words of a beleaguered businessman trying to make a living in Drogheda, at the crisis meeting held by Drogheda and District Chamber on Tuesday March 9th.
Around 250 businessmen and women, as well as interested members of the public, gathered in the new Barbican centre, William Street, joining public representatives and chamber of commerce members.
President Patricia Rooney officiated, with chamber colleague Padraig Kierans assisting, as they addressed the audience of concerned traders.
Shocking statistics of 85% of traders against the current rates and 86% of businesses suffering losses were quoted, as the survey that got the ball rolling was outlined .
A third of shops in West Street are empty, and water rates for traders have increased by an incredible 440% in the past four years.
'It has been a difficult two years, with the past six months being particularly horrific,' said longtime Dyer Street trader Jim Corcoran.
'The town centre has been devastated and it is sad to see businesses that have been trading for over 90 years going to the wall, and it is creeping into all streets, not just West Street.'
Councillors from all political persuasions were present, however had been told to listen, and not take part.
'Planning delays are keeping many premises empty,' continued Mr Corcoran, ' and Drogheda is the only town you have to pay a toll to get into. You pay to get in, you pay to shop, you pay to live, you pay to leave'.
Many had predicted a lively debate, with traders given a platform to air their grievances to their elected official, however, it was a subdued meeting, with an air of resignation pervading the proceedings.
'Manufacturing, food production, services, hospitality, tourism, IT, retail, there is not one single sector of the business community that is not affected by the current situation being faced by businesses in Drogheda,' said Chamber President Patricia Rooney.
'It is without doubt the most serious in any living memory and we are witnessing massive damage to local enterprises on a weekly and daily basis.
'As the local representatives for business, we were compelled to make this call to action and reach out to our business colleagues, whether they are chamber members or not and get together to discuss this crisis and ways to stop the haemorrhage of enterprise out of Drogheda and its environs.'
The chamber members have said they will now collate the results of the meeting and draw up an action plan, calling another public meeting if necessary.
- Alison Comyn reports
