‘SLIGO FACES ITS CHALLENGES, BUT THERE WILL BE MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD’
DESPITE the closure of a number of businesses in Sligo, the town is currently on a growth path.
That’s according to Finbarr Filan, Chairperson of Sligo Business Improvement District.
The imminent closure of Gerry McGuire’s means that there will be another vacant premises on that side of town, while the unit in Quayside Shopping Centre currently occupied by Next will also be empty shortly.
“It’s a hard decision for any business to close. You have built up a relationship with customers, suppliers, neighbours, other businesses. At the end of the day, it’s a decision that’s important for the business owner,” Filan told The Sligo Champion.
Representatives from Sligo were at the Meitheal trade show last week, and Finbarr says it’s vital that Sligo’s potential is sold at every available opportunity.
“We have representatives from the hotel and food sector at the Meitheal show it’s important that we sell the fact that Sligo is a great place to live, work and visit.”
While he admits that Sligo does faces challenges, he says the town is actually growing, although it may appear as though the opposite is happening.
“We do face challenges in our town. It is no different to any other town the same size. It’s been a good week for Sligo. We need to grasp the fact that Sligo is on a growth path, we will see that over the coming year. All agencies need to work together.
“We (Sligo BID) have been working closely with Sligo County Council to incentivize activity in vacant units. Some of these retail units will need to be re-purposed.
“We do have more retail space in Sligo than we need,” he continued.
Right Price Tiles & Flooring has recently opened in Sligo Retail Park, with more businesses expected to follow.
LiveTiles is also set to open in the region, creating 50 jobs, while a number of other businesses have recently opened in the town.
“It’s important to point out that this will all take a number of years. We will have good days and bad days. Sligo has been marked as a growth town for 2014. This is positive.
“We have businesses opening all the time in Sligo. There is loads happening. It’s just more noticeable when businesses are closing on the main street. But there are more opening up in town at the minute.
“Sligo is enjoying more good days than bad days at the minute,” Finbarr said.