22-06-2002
Mountmellick's shut shops 'frightening'
The number of shops that had closed in Mountmellick was "frightening," Cllr Michael Gormley told the Town Council monthly meeting last week.
Cllr David Conroy: "I have been concerned for a long time at the number of businesses that have closed in the town."
Chairman Marc Connolly: "It's Plain to see that the number of retail outlets that have closed in Mountmellick over the last 10 years is unacceptable."
County council planning official Peter Dolan outlined to the Town Council the Draft Retail Strategy for Laois.
Chairman Connolly described the Strategy as an important document and an important step in projecting the county's future retail needs.
Cllr Gormley said, as regards shopping, Mountmellick and other places in Laois were losing out to surrounding counties and to centres like Tullamore. He thought the Town Council should be spearheading the establishment of more businesses in Mountmellick, which, he stated, also required more parking facilities.
Cllr Helen Hanson noted that the retail strategy envisaged another superstore for Portlaoise. It was a pity that Mountmellick couldn't have the superstore, she added.
Cllr Conroy: "Whatever we can do to attract businesses to smaller towns should be done. Every town should have its fair share. Proper facilities would encourage people to live in this area."
Chairman Connolly: "The future is looking bright for Mountmellick with the various building projects." He stressed the necessity for town centre development.
Mountmellick TC loses 'Midas touch'
"I'm getting sick and tired coming to meetings and repeating the same things over and over again."
So thundered Cllr Paddy Bracken at Mountmellick Town Council monthly meeting last week.
He had complained of flooding on the footpath to Derrycloney. 'It wouldn't take a rocket scientist to solve the problem, ' he stated.
Cllr Helen Hanson said for a period Town Councillors had seemed to be getting everything done a period when they had the Midas touch.
Deputy Co Manager Declan Byrne fully appreciated the Councillors concerns. The engineer had given a commitment to try and add those concerns to her programme of works, he added.
Children's Computer Training
The above will commence in the summer with the first course held in July and the second in Augest in the MDA. Book now to secure a place, there are reduced rates for two or more children.
The following adult training courses will commence in September.
- Absolute beginners
- MS Office
- ECDL
- Farm Accounts
- Computerised Accounts
For more details contact Imelda in the MDA

