Clare Fm - Podcasts

Clare County Council is being urged to exhaust all avenues to expedite public realm enhancement works in Ennis. It comes amid severe frustration for traders in the town, who claim the phased delivery of the project has been a business disaster. Having commenced in April of 2023, the €11.5M Ennis Public Realm Project has set a long-term goal of increasing footfall and spending in the town through streetscape and public infrastructure enhancements. The works have been scheduled over 8 phases in a bid to minimise disruption to local businesses, however the persistent road closures have been a point of extreme discontent for local traders, who say footfall has dropped dramatically. Vanessa Spencer from Munster Technology Centre in Ennis says her hours have reduced due to the lull in activity and fears the town has lost many customers who cannot be recovered. Local traders have also bemoaned the perceived lack of progress with the works. The High Street phase of the project was scheduled for completion in Ju