Greenway business officer needed now
CALLS were made for the urgent creation of a greenway business development officer at the monthly New Ross Municipal District meeting.
Cllr John Fleming said such an officer is needed to help guide entrepreneurs ahead of the opening of the urban section of the greenway next winter.
‘A novel idea would be a boat trip out towards Mount Elliott, where people can disembark and one to Waterford too. There are a lot of little side businesses that could be created and the sooner we get an officer in place the better.’
Cllr Michael Sheehan said people hoping to open horsebox cafes on the greenway route need to know what the rules are. ‘We will have people looking to do the same thing in New Ross as they did on the quays in Wexford. A countywide plan is needed; otherwise we will find ourselves in the same situation.’
District manager Mick McCormack said he has been working with his colleagues in the special projects team, adding that the role has been advertised.
He said casual trading bye-laws are being looked at, adding that he has been working with the county’s other area managers on a plan.
Cllr Pat Barden said: ‘I have had six people on to me about setting up a business on the greenway and they don’t know where to go.’
Cllr Anthony Connick said the officer is also needed to liaise with entrepreneurs in Kilkenny and Waterford who are considering opening a business along the route.
‘We have 7kms of the route in New Ross. 14kms are in Kilkenny and one is in Waterford. I think we should be talking with the other districts in Kilkenny on guidelines regarding cafes and pop up shops.’