Enniscorthy Chamber may revisit merger idea at a future date
FOLLOWING last week’s news that Enniscorthy & District Chamber of Commerce is to opt out of any amalgamation of Chambers across County Wexford, a statement was issued by Development Officer Jimmy Gahan stating that they had decided to ‘postpone a final decision on the amalgamation process for a period of 12 to 18 months in order to allow us bring to fruition a number of projects on which we are working’.
While Enniscorthy Chamber are standing firm in relation to their decision and believe that an amalgamation would not serve the best interests of members, it appears that they haven’t ruled out re-visiting the topic a year down the line.
However, concerns have been expressed in relation to funding paid over to the four Chambers by Wexford County Council. While Gorey and New Ross Chambers operate on a smaller basis and receive a smaller amount, both Wexford and Enniscorthy receive significant funding. It is believed that Wexford County Council were in favour of merging all four Chambers and thus funding just one body as opposed to four. While Enniscorthy Chamber are due to meet with Council officials in the New Year to discuss funding, Mr Gahan remains hopeful that they will receive the continued support of the council.
It is unclear how the other three Chambers are to proceed with their amalgamation or what the new trio of Chambers will be called, but it certainly will not be able to operate as a County Wexford Chamber without Enniscorthy’s backing of the plan.
‘We will in the future revisit the possibility of joining Wexford, New Ross and Gorey in an enlarged structure,’ said Mr Gahan. ‘But for the immediate future we will concentrate on serving the needs of our members in Enniscorthy town and district and on promoting the town in order that its full potential is realised before making any final decision on our future.’