Operating Plan, 2009 / 2011
Athy Chamber has prepared an Operating Plan for the next two years, May, 2009 – to – May 2011.
Chamber Mission:
To lead the development of the business environment in Athy so as to create a thriving town which is prosperous and is pleasant for living, working and visiting.
Our Operating Plan is summarised as follows:
- The S.D.R is the most important piece of infrastructure necessary for our town and should be given no. 1 priority. However with the economic downturn Athy Chamber believes this road should be constructed in phases : Initially, A major roundabout should be constructed at the present Vocational School and the road should be built across the river to the Fortbarrington road where a further roundabout should be built linking this road to the Barrowhouse road and Kilkenny road.
- Within a five mile radius of Athy there are 2,500 households, with an average weekly spend outside Athy of € 80 per week. This represents a € 2m per week retail loss to Athy. This must be addressed and we would ask all people here in in Athy to purchase their requirements in Athy from the shops and businesses in Athy. We must also attract a diversity of shops and businesses to establish in Athy. This will protect our businesses and our town. Can we do this, yes we can !
- Athy presently has 13 empty factories. Athy Town Council should give a year’s rates exemption to anyone who reopens one of these factories and provides atleast 20 jobs. Regarding the annual rates levied on Athy businesses, last year our Councillors decided to increase our rates, when the economic downturn was putting pressure on our businesses and where other towns did not increase rates. The Town Council will say that they require extra funding but by protecting our existing businesses and supporting the creation of new businesses, income will be generated for the Town Council. Everything should be done to promote new sustainable developments
- When the Vocational School is decommissioned and will be re-located to the new school campus being built on the Monasterevan road, Athy Chamber suggests that the Vocational School should be converted into an I.T. incubation unit promoting start ups in the I.T. business which should and can be supported by the County Kildare Enterprise Board. This will generate jobs.
- 200 years ago, Athy had 5 water driven mills on the river Barrow. Athy could and should generate its own electricity from the River Barrow and become a leader in this field.
- Athy Chamber proposes that Lord’s (Ardreigh) Island, which consists 22 acres, should be designated for the further development of a 150 berth marina because of its geography, location and security.
- The old swimming pool should be converted into a 10 lane pin ball alley in partnership with Athy Town Council and Kildare County Council or it should be developed as a multi storey car park serving the train station and our town. Either of these proposals will create jobs.
- All the land owned by C.I.E from Chanterlands to the train station, circa 18 acres, should, with the exception of the lands required for the S.D.R. be designated for further car parking requirements for the train station and for further rail development.
- Athy has a major problem with can drinking, or more particular with the disposals of the empty cans, on walks around the river and canal. Athy Chamber proposes that Athy Town Council instals a can crusher with a redeemable coupon buy back facility, in a suitable location, whereby people are encouraged to dispose of the cans thereby obtaining a redeemable credit. The initial cost of this can crusher should be levied against all those businesses providing off licence facilities. This can create job opportunities, protect tidiness and create an attractive town.
- Athy Chamber seeks that land, circa 5 acres, to the south of the existing cemetery and adjoining the planned route for the S.D.R. and parallel to the rail line to be designated for a future expansion of cemetery.
- The Hotels and Guesthouses should come together and market the town for short breaks and mid week specials. This will protect and generate jobs.
- Athy Town Council should remove the old fountain from the front square, relocating to another more suitable location and replace it with artistic, tourist features advertising the our town – for example, a car feature representing the Gordon Bennett Rally, and Shackleton pulling a boat across the ice.
- Within a five mile radius of Athy there are 50 miles of river frontage which is suitable for fishing. There are thousands of fishermen in Ireland and 1 m fishermen in England who travel in pursuit of fishing. This is a market to be exploited and which will protect and generate jobs.
- The biggest growth area in Tourism at present is walking tours. Athy should link up with other towns along the river Barrow to promote walking tours, and with C.I.E to promote the Barrow Way. This will protect and generate jobs.
- Athy Town Council should exploit the Tri Athy and use it to promote the triathlon as a training course and market it and designate as a training course for the forthcoming London Olympics. We should exploit the brand Tri Athy to promote and develop our town. There is also a proposed branding campaign, supported by EU funding, for Athy and three other similar towns in Ireland and Wales. This can protect and generate jobs. As part of this, you will be aware that through our Windows Sparkle programme we are asking all businesses to fly a flag from their business premises advertising the particular local event being held in our town and to decorate a window with symbols and emblems representing the particular event. We have nationally recognised events : Swim Athy, Tri Athy, Gordon Bennett Rally, Kildare County Show, Bluegrass Festival, National Ploughing Championship, Shackleton Weekend.
- Athy is the malting capital of this country. This further brand should be exploited and developed for the benefit of this town. Again jobs can be created and our businesses and town can be protected and promoted.
- Regarding the traffic congestion in this town which many colleagues including Liam Dunne’s committee have been seeking to remedy. Athy Chamber suggests that the Post Office should be moved to a more accessible location, which should allow better access for users of the Post Office and deliveries. This will alleviate the problems related to the traffic lights outside the Post Office but obviously appropriate crossings should be installed for pedestrians.
- Athy Town Council should establish a detailed website detailing the many sport and recreation clubs in our town. We have many clubs over 100 and these should be promoted to our townspeople and to those visiting our town. These promote our town, our clubs, and our sports people.
- The Dry Dock on the canal should be exploited for boat building and boat repairing opportunities. We believe a local Building Supplies Company will assist greatly with the building of the necessary structure at the Dry Dock.
- Finally, Athy Chamber also proposes to launch an Athy Business Excellence awards scheme, but we also call on Athy Town Council should establish a separate special award for the person (s) or company which creates the best innovation or job creations.
If you require greater detail of how our sub-committees interact with the Operating Plan please contact our Chamber.
Our sub committee will continuously strive to promote our town and our businesses and will organise numerous helpful informative business seminars for the benefit of all our businesses. We are presently preparing the launch of a new revitalised website for Athy Chamber.
Athy Chamber does not pretend that our Operating Plan is the answer to all our problems but it is a reasonable realistic base to be a considered and developed for the benefit of all.
25th May, 2009.
Paul A. Cunningham,
President,
Athy Chamber.
