Informal talks with councillors
The Enniscorthy Committee of the County Wexford Chamber held informal talks with the newly elected members of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council on Thursday last with a view to progressing the proposed Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan. The talks took place in the Chamber office in Templeshannon with all six elected members present, along with representatives of the local Business Association.
Top of the agenda was the County Council’s proposal to remove all car parking from the town centre as part of the proposed Town Centre First Plan. This proposal is strenuously opposed by the business community and at Thursday’s meeting, business representatives re-iterated their opposition. They asked the newly elected Council members to join with them in opposing the Town Centre Plan in its present form and to use their powers, as elected representatives, to veto the plan if necessary.
Acknowledging their commitment to the implementation of the Plan in all but the parking proposals, the business representatives made it clear the majority of proposals contained therein would benefit the commercial growth of Enniscorthy but not if the parking issues were included and on that basis they could not support the Plan.
After a lengthy discussion of all the issues involved, the elected members agreed to take on board the concerns of the business community and to bring those concerns back to the powers-thatbe in the hope a compromise could be found that would satisfy all parties to the plan.
Green Tech HQ, the Sustainability Innovation Hub of Senan House, Killagoley, Enniscorthy, has committed to being the first donor to the Wexford Impact Fund, a transformative initiative dedicated to driving positive change and fostering innovation across County Wexford with Re-Think Ireland. The Wexford Impact Fund is designed to support ground breaking social enterprises and impactful community projects that are making a real difference to the lives of people across County Wexford. The fund is aimed at empowering local communities, fostering innovation and promoting sustainability.
Support for the re-establishment of a Women’s Shed in Enniscorthy is growing with two public meetings having already taken place to advance the idea. The town had already been home to a Women’s Shed prior to the Covid pandemic which put a hold on the shed’s activities. Now, however, with renewed interest being expressed efforts are being made to re-establish the ‘shed’ and with the level of interest been shown in the project, it seems certain it won’t be long before it is up and running.
Many small and medium businesses across County Wexford may be eligible for a €2,000 voucher towards the cost of a professional energy audit. An energy audit is an important step for businesses that want to save money and energy while enhancing their brand. The audit may be carried out on buildings, processes or systems and is carried out in three stages – preparation, a site visit and reporting. The final report establishes how much energy is used in the operation of a particular business, the equipment and processes that use the most energy and what action is needed to save energy and their estimated cost and impact.
Further information on how to apply for a professional energy audit can be obtained by telephoning 01 8082100 or by e-mailing smegrants@seai.ie
Wheelock’s Fruit Farm, Finchogue, Enniscorthy, have announced their Wexford Strawberry Weekend will this year take place on July 7 and 8, at their farm in Finchogue. Last year’s inaugural event was an outstanding success and this year, according to the family, an even more attractive weekend is in the offing with chef demonstrations, music, games and lashings of strawberries and cream. Artisan craft, drink and food stalls will be present and the best of Wexford home grown produce will be on display. Admission is free and all are welcome.