Business
Landmark pub is ‘headline’ property for major auction
O’Donnellan and Joyce Auctioneers will be putting 30 properties under the hammer at a bumper auction next month.
Colm O’Donnellan said the auction will have a tremendous mix of properties throughout the West of Ireland, with the ‘headline’ property being The Bal bar in Salthill, which has a guide price of €350,000.
The property is situated on Salthill’s ‘Golden Mile’ and comprises a bar over two levels with basement.
Glenard Avenue, Salthill
No. 8 contains space in abundance is located in one of Galway’s most popular of residential areas, and contains a fantastic extension and one of the finest gardens in the area. The Advised Minimum Value is €350,000.
Lenaboy Gardens, Salthill
No. 17 is a detached house located just beside the old Sacre Coeur Hotel, and is in need of a certain amount of refurbishment and modernisation. The AMV is €200,000.
Ballard, Barna
This property is located four miles from the city in a prime residential area. It is just a leisurely stroll from Silver Strand Beach and stands on a site with an elevated site surrounded by mature trees and shrubs in this leafy and tranquil location.
The property was constructed in the 1960s and has four large bedrooms. The AMV is €200,000.
Dominick Street, Galway
No. 1 Bridgewater Court is a two-bedroomed first floor apartment in good condition and according to the selling agents, would make an ideal investment or first-time buyer’s home. The AMV is €80,000.
Moyola Park, Newcastle
No. 13 is a four-bedroomed detached residence which has been recently redecorated and is in good condition throughout with a south facing rear garden.
The property is situated within walking distance of NUIG and UHG and would the agents believe would make a gilt-edged residential investment or home. The AMV is €260,000.
Gleann na Coille, Barna Road
No. 30 is a four-bed semi-detached home located just off the main Barna Road. It is close to Silver Strand and next to Barna Woods. This property would be an ideal starter home and contains space in abundance. The AMV is €160,000.
Merrhants Road, Galway
No. 17 is a semi-derelict three-storey residence, which would make a perfect project for a DIY enthusiast, because of the enormous potential it holds. The AMV is €65,000.
Cherry Park, Newcastle
No. 11 is an attractive three-bed semi in the popular and established estate. It’s located close to NUI Galway and UHG and the agents say it’s the perfect starter home or as an investment. The AMV is €140,000
Ocean Wave, Salthill
No. 98 is located in the heart of Salthill, and just a stone’s throw from the Promenade. It is a two-bedroomed ground floor apartment with a south-facing rear garden and is being offered fully furnished. The AMV is €160,000.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
The new President of Local Ireland, the association representing local news publishers around the country, is Head of Irish Times Regionals Dan Linehan.
Mr Linehan takes over the presidency from Declan McGuire of the Connacht Tribune. His appointment was confirmed at the recent Annual General Meeting of Local Ireland at Bloomfield House Hotel near Mullingar, Westmeath.
Mr Linehan, who has served as Vice President of the organisation for the last two years, said: “The coming years are a very important time for local publishers with many important issues to be addressed, including the implementation of the Future of Media Commission recommendations, defamation reform, the role and support for local publishers in public service reporting and helping publishers develop commercial digital offerings.”
Speaking at the AGM, Mr McGuire acknowledged the work done by the Executive in the past two years under the direction of Executive Director, Bob Hughes, on several projects related to the publishing industry but most especially the successful conclusion of the long-running campaign for the abolition of VAT on newspapers.
He also wished Mr Linehan the very best in his new role as President of the association for the next two years.
Mr Hughes thanked Mr McGuire for his leadership and support during his term of office and said he looked forward to working with Mr Linehan on the key policy priorities for the association, including Government supports, Government advertising, fair remuneration for content from the tech platforms and the reform of the legislation for defamation.
Local Ireland members also elected Seán Mahon, Managing Director of the Southern Star, as Vice President for the next two years.
The shortage of affordable housing is the single biggest impediment in attracting and retaining workers in the West, according to business group Ibec.
At a ‘Regional Insights Series’ meeting in the Galmont Hotel in Galway last week, employers were told that capacity constraints and labour supply are the key challenges facing business growth in the region.
Ibec Head of Regional Policy Helen Leahy said: “There must be greater focus by government on enhancing quality of life issues such as housing and infrastructure which are driving labour shortages in the region.
“Ibec’s vision for the West is to realise its potential to become a globally competitive location. An inadequate supply of affordable housing is now the single largest impediment to attracting and retaining talented workers, without whom business investment and expansions are not possible.
“Labour shortages are a real concern for businesses in the region. People decide where to live and work based on quality of life and access to high quality services and amenities. Industry tends to follow talent, and in this regard, the region needs to have all the building blocks in place as the attraction and retention of world-class talent becomes increasingly competitive on a global level,” said Ms Leahy.
Amongst Ibec’s priorities for the West are:
- Addressing housing and infrastructure challenges
- Transitioning towards a new growth model with Net Zero energy powered by Atlantic offshore wind resources
- Adapting businesses to the new economic realities
- Enhancing capacity and skillsets to achieve sustainable development objectives
- Investment in people and skills
- Creating competitive advantage through digitalisation
- Innovation as a key driver of productivity growth
One in five Galway businesses want to go fully cashless, as the move towards card payments and tapping continues unabated post-Covid.
In all, 22% of Galway businesses would like to be fully cashless, according to a survey carried out by BOI Payment Acceptance (BOIPA), a provider of payment technology solutions, which asked Irish businesses about the current payment landscape as well as business confidence and concerns.
Over one-third (36%) of Galway businesses were unaware there is no contactless limit on mobile wallets – just below the national average – while 54% believe the increase in card over cash transactions has helped them run their business.
Six out of ten Galway businesses expect to grow this year despite the cost-of-living crisis and running costs dominating as key concerns; 62% believe their business will grow over the next twelve months despite global economic uncertainty.
Unsurprisingly cost-of-living increases and running costs were the main concerns the majority of businesses had.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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