Business
Parking plan to benefit Ballinasloe businesses
A prototype of a car parking disc that can be used by motorists in Ballinasloe town to avail of two hours free parking was presented to a meeting of the new Municipal Council.
It is a disc that can be used by motorists and offers them free parking for two hours – once Galway County Council agree to the proposal.
There are claims that town centre businesses in Ballinasloe are “dying on their feet” as a direct result of paid parking. It has been one of the most contentious issues during the term of Ballinasloe Town Council in recent years and now it is an issue for the new Ballinasloe Municipal Council.
But there were a lot of stunned faces when Cllr Michael Finnerty produced a clock with a two hour time gap for motorists who want to avail of a free parking system in the town. He believes that the two hour ‘free parking disc’ would have a huge positive impact for businesses in the town.
However, a proposal to review the paid parking system in Ballinasloe is to be sent forward to a roads and transportation committee within Galway County Council.
The matter was the subject of much debate at a meeting of the Municipal District where FG Cllr Michael Finnerty was advised that the issue must be dealt with at County Council level before bye-laws could be introduced.
He said the current system which sees those parking without a ticket receiving a fine is over-zealous and suggested allowing a period free of charge.
Sinn Fein Cllr Dermot Connolly said while the suggestion had merits, it would be difficult to police. He also suggested some form of concession for funeral or novena-goers.
Fine Gael Cllr Donal Burke said the free parking system currently in operation in Roscommon town worked well and suggested the possibility of introducing free parking in Ballinasloe on a Saturday.
Cathaoirleach Michael Connolly said it was a complex issue as many parking spaces were not adjacent to businesses.
Senior Engineer Evan Molloy referred to a study that showed there was a greater turnover of vehicles where charges were in operation, bringing more customers into towns.
Members were also advised that there are 165 free spaces in the town centre and that charges on the three streets concerned were retained at a minimal level, with 15 minute free parking allowance in five loading bays after 11.30am.
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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