There has been much change in Enniskillen town centre of late as the doors of some businesses have closed whilst others have opened – and more change is on the horizon it seems, as Bob & Berts have confirmed that they are actively looking for an appropriate site for their coffee shop in Fermanagh’s county town.

There has been much speculation over the past few months over the possibility that the Northern Ireland coffee shop chain will open a store in Enniskillen, but speaking to The Impartial Reporter last week, a Bob & Berts spokesman confirmed that the company has put in offers regarding sites in the town.

He said: “We’ve been looking for a site in Enniskillen for a number of years but nothing suitable has been available.

“We are currently speaking to three landlords and have put in offers regarding sites in Enniskillen and it is our intention to open a store in the town once we find a suitable site.”

There is some more positive news for the town centre, as work is under way at the former Eason’s site where it is understood that the Cassidys – owners of the Westville Hotel, The Firehouse, The Crowes’ Nest, and Gourmet Bros – are planning to open a new business in the coming months.

It is also understood that the former Shoe Zone site on Townhall Street will be taken over by a charity shop for ForSight, a charity offering funding to groups to provide direct services or clinical research to improve the lives of children and adults in Northern Ireland who are blind or vision-impaired.

However, along with the positive news of businesses’ plans to open new premises, a number of units have become vacant, following business closures.

Although she doesn’t have specific figures on the level of vacant units at this time, Noelle McAloon of Enniskillen BID understands that the Enniskillen vacant rate was around 14 per cent, which is less than the UK and Northern Ireland average.

“While Cloughcor House will close due to retirement, The Toastery has opened in a vacant unit, which is positive,” said Noelle.

It is also understood that the unit in Erneside that currently lies vacant following the closure of Monsoon has been snapped up.

Speaking ahed of the group’s successful ‘yes’ vote for a second five-year term, Noelle explained that to combat the issue of vacant units in the town centre, Enniskillen BID has support for businesses who want to set up in a vacant unit.

“It is our intention, when and if, we get ‘Term 2’, to develop a more strategic vacant unit strategy.

“We in BID would like to develop an inventory of vacant units in Enniskillen, and actively approach potential businesses to consider Enniskillen as a place to do business in one of these vacant units,” Noelle told The Impartial Reporter.