GroundhogdayoverformerDunnes Stores site is a crying shame for all

YOU could hear the frustration of members of Dundalk Municipal Area in their comments at their January meeting when they criticised the continuing vacancy at the former Dunnes Stores premises in Park Street.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Municipal District of Dundalk, Cllr John McGahon described the loophole which allows big corporations to leave property lying idle as ‘a bit of a joke’.

He complained that companies can say that they are putting a building up for sale and sit on the property without doing anything to it.

He accused Dunnes of ‘sitting on a prime property in the centre of Dundalk.’

‘It’s two fingers to everyone here and the people of Dundalk.’

Director of Service Mr Frank Pentony said he didn’t disagree with Cllr McGahon’s sentiments. He said that the council ‘ tried to go after them as a derelict site, they put posters in the window and cleaned the footpath so it’s not a derelict site.’

It is not the first time that this particular problem has been raised in the Council Chamber and there is very real frustration about the situation.

No one can say with certainty if there is a prospective tenant for the site, there have been many rumours over the years about various brands taking over the premises, all of which have come to nothing.

Just last week as I passed the premises, I overheard a couple commenting on the situation as they walked by, with the lady remarking to her male companion, ‘I can‘ t believe that it’s still empty. It’s a disgrace’.

That sentiment is shared throughout, an anchor tenant in Park Street would give this end of the town a boost.

While foot traffic in the town centre is still strong, the refurbishment work in Clanbrassil Street and Church Street which started last week will be a concern for all town centre traders.

So far, the disruption has been minimal and well managed with the one-way traffic system working well and not causing significant delays.

A resolution to the impasse over the former Dunnes Stores premises would be welcomed by all.