Drastic action call to revive local town centre

A business plan with real achievable objectives for the next five to 10 years is what's needed to rescue Tullamore from "serious economic decline".

Cllr Sean O'Brien is calling on key stakeholders, including Offaly County Council, residents, traders, and organisations including the Chamber of Commerce to put their "thinking hats on" and bring the "life" and "buzz" back to Tullamore town centre and restore it to its once thriving commercial status.
He wants to see major anchor tenants such as Penneys secured for Tullamore in a bid to attract more major retail names.
"The people of Tullamore are really concerned that they town they loved is gone," he told the Offaly Independent ahead of a meeting of Tullamore Municipal District on Thursday where he tabled a motion calling for a plan to restore Tullamore to a serious centre of commercial and retail activity.
Cllr Sean O'Brien says for some years now a debate has been ongoing in Tullamore surrounding the town's decline, evidence of which can be seen in the many vacant premises "from the top of High Street all the way to Kilbeggan Bridge."
"Tullamore used to be a really bustling town, full of a brisk retail offering but now the town has declined, there is a lot of dereliction in the town centre," explained the Independent councillor, who named the old Texas site as one of the many premises "lying idyll for years".
"There are so many empty premises, the old ESB shop where footfall used to be phenomenal with so many people in and out, is another one that has been vacant 15 years. Practically all of Harbour Street is empty, both residential and commercial.
"What we need is a definite plan - we need to sit down with residents, traders and the likes of the Chamber of Commerce and have definite plans in place as to the direction we want to see the town going in the next five to ten years, because without that it will continue to further decline."
While pointing out that there are certain improvements taking place, such as the Greenway to attract tourism, and Town Enhancement works which will be "good when they're finished" what's needed is the development of a definite business plan for the town.
"I've noticed if you want to get certain items, you can't them in Tullamore and you have to go elsewhere to find what you want. People are doing that and then their bringing their business elsewhere to the likes of Athlone, Portlaoise, Leixlip and Liffey Valley.
Cllr O'Brien wants Offaly County Council to apply for government funding to revive the town centre and attract big business.
"Businesses are not going to be encouraged to move into town when they see so many empty shops. The buzz and life needs to be brought back to the town. 
"Big anchor tenants like Penneys would ensure local people would stay in town to shop and would attract more people in from elsewhere. There is a major need for a number of anchor tenants and the rest will follow," he argued. "We've got to put our thinking hats on. "
In response to fears that the Town Enhancement works may not be finished in time for Christmas, Cllr O'Brien says that while nothing has been confirmed yet, he will be seeking assurances from the council to ensure that works do not hinder business during what is the busiest time of the year for shopping.
"I will be looking for direct answers on this, we simply can't have the centre of town blocked off for customers during what is one of the busiest times for traders and consumers."
He welcomed one hour free parking introduced in the Texas car park and O'Neill Place car park to the rear of Spollen's pub as part of the Think Tullamore initiative.