M11 SEES BEEHIVE FIGHTING TO KEEP TRADING
THE OPENING OF THE RATHNEW TO ARKLOW SECTION OF THE M11 ELIMINATED AN ACCIDENT BLACKSPOT AND SLASHED TRAVEL TIMES FOR MOTORISTS, BUT WHAT DID IT MEAN FOR BUSINESSES OPERATING ON THE OLD N11?
BUSINESSES that used to operate on the old N11 say trade has taken a major hit ever since the opening of the Rathnew to Arklow section of the M11 just over a year ago.
The newest section of the dual carriageway bypasses both The Beehive pub and Barndarrig Service Station, resulting in a dramatic fall in daily takings at the two establishments.
Passing trade at The Beehive used to see between 150 to 160 customers served a day. Now that’s reduced to around 50 to 60 customers daily.
Owner Pat Doyle has also had requests rejected when looking to place advertising along the dual carriageway to make motorists aware that the Beehive is still open for business. The County Council also refuses to reduce his rates.
‘It’s a real struggle and I can’t see it lasting much longer. I am getting hammered for everything,’ says Pat.
Meanwhile, business at Barndarrig Service Station has fallen by 60 per cent.
Not a day that people don’t say ‘we thought you were closed’
The owner of The Beehive says the completion of the new stretch of the N11 last year between Arklow and Rathnew has decimated business.
Pat Doyle is also frustrated at the lack of support he has received from Wicklow County Council.
‘I pay rates of €12,000 a year and I am getting absolutely nothing in return. Our parking trade is all but gone.’
This time last year a 16.5km stretch of dual carriageway was opened, connecting the M11 Arklow bypass with the M11 Rathnew/Ashford bypass.
Since then, Mr Doyle maintains that business in The Beehive Pub has dropped off considerably.
‘We used to get around 130 to 150 customers per day. But since the N11 was upgraded those numbers have dropped down to around 50 to 60 customers each day during the week. The majority of our customers were passing by and would drop into The Beehive for lunch and then head along on their journey.
‘Now there isn’t a day where people don’t come into the pub saying they thought we were closed. I have tried to put up a sign on the dual carriageway advertising The Beehive and letting people know we are open but I’m not allowed full-stop. Apparently, a sign would be a distraction to motorists and could cause an accident.
‘I’ve placed adds in papers and on the radio to let people know we are still open for business but the message doesn’t seem to be getting out there.’
Pat has owned The Beehive for over a year and thinks more should be done to support businesses affected by the completed bypass.
‘It’s a real struggle and I can’t see it lasting much longer. I am getting hammered for everything. No one is being reasonable. I have put a lot of money into the business and employ twelve people. My takings have dropped considerably and I think Wicklow County Council should take the bypass into consideration when setting the rates I pay. I have gone down to the council and asked for some sort of reduction or hold off on the arrears but they aren’t interested. Thankfully, our regular trade is beginning to pick up a bit but at the moment our weekend trade is what is really keeping us going.’