Irvinestown business owners continue wait for investment

There they have shared many stories about days gone by. But it is the future where most locals, including Mr. Mahon, are now focused on.

The revitalisation of Castle Irvine Estate has been welcomed by the local community but more needs to be done to revitalise the Fermanagh town, say many local business owners.

Mr. Mahon wants to see further investment in Irvinestown from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and the Northern Ireland Executive and hit out at a frustration felt by many here.

He added: “An architect did a plan for Irvinestown a couple of years ago, I’d love to see it fulfilled.

“He did a whole map for the middle of the town for what could be done, making it all pedestrianised from the Chernobyl Shop to the roundabout and put a band stand in and have bands in there and that sort of thing.

“I think pedestrianisation would be a good job for music in the town or a market.”

Referring to Irvinestown’s place in the centre of the district for the Council area, he said: “We have a facility here to do things and they could have one big event and do it in Necarne.”

Joe Mahon, looking for answers for Irvinestown.

The reintroduction of the town’s Chamber of Commerce by the town traders has been welcomed.

Its newly elected chairman, Mr. Tom Read, proprietor of Tom Read Menswear, said the group was reformed to help champion local trade.

“We thought that without a Chamber of Commerce, we had no voice, and we are hoping now to have a voice as a body of traders or as a Chamber of Commerce.

“We potentially have 100 businesses in Irvinestown taking in everyone from the 30 mile an hour limit right around.

‘A slow burner’

“It’s a slow burner, but people are starting to come on board. If we have a good uptake of businesses involved it would be a very successful organisation.”

Discussing the aims of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Read said: “We hope to create a fund to advertise Irvinestown and do a bit of promotion.”

When asked if Fermanagh and Omagh District Council or the Executive could do more to invest in Irvinestown, Mr. Read said: “Absolutely yes, I think all our wee towns can.

“I think Kesh can, Irvinestown can, Belleek and all those wee towns could benefit but we have no infrastructure in place for that in Northern Ireland and that’s where the problems lie."

Tom Read.

One of the most attractive buildings on Irvinestown main street is Millar Meats, which is housed in the former Ulster Bank building.

Owner, Mr. Stephen Millar operates a thriving and busy butcher’s shop.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, he proposed a simple solution to what Irvinestown needs. He said: “We need more people. If we have more houses, we have more footfall into the town, more potential people wanting to open shops in the town.

“There’s loads of wee things that could be done without massive investment; white lines need to be painted out there, fresh white lines would clean that up.

“The poles are rotten with green algae, they could be power-washed. I’m not asking for massive investment, just a bit of manpower.

“Look at the shape of the footpaths,” he said pointing out the door.

To prove his point, Mr. Millar then took this reporter outside to point out an uneven footpath and a recent hole that had been patched up.

Gesturing and shaking his head, Mr. Millar said: “I want them even and level, like that there is a trip hazard – this isn’t rocket science.

“I don’t want the place ripped up, as there will be lorries and people will not be able to get in to us.

“I don’t want havoc, just an even footpath.”

He added how there “needs to be less red tape and more common sense”, continuing: “But unfortunately, common sense isn’t coming any more.”

Stephen Millar, butcher.

Mrs. Lorraine Humes, owner of the long-established women’s clothes shop, Klass, remarked that the town still maintains a strong trade.

“Footfall is great, there are a lot of people coming through the door, tourists and repeat business from Enniskillen and Omagh,” she said.

Referencing the townscape, she added: “I think you need something a bit more upbeat and modern, a few of the premises are quite run down.

“We are not entitled to the grant they could get in Enniskillen because there are less than 5,000 people living here.”

Lorraine Humes, Klass.

Mrs. Holly Noble described Irvinestown as “a great place”.

“It’s a good town, I think for the likes of Kesh, Lisnarick, Irvinestown is the hub.

“The likes of the flowers and all help it. The Lady of the Lake Festival is well funded and down this end, it is the best festival.”

Holly Noble.

Away from the town centre in the Creamery Business Park, Mr. Barry Quinn, of Fermanagh Bathroom and Tiles, commented that Irvinestown needs to be recognised for its benefits.

‘More recognition’

“It needs more investment and more recognition for what it is – it is the main thoroughfare from Omagh to Enniskillen. It should get more footfall and more people through the town.

“I think travel-wise and traffic-wise, Irvinestown is a good place.”

He spoke of the benefits of Fermanagh County Show which took place earlier this month.

Mr. Quinn added: “Fermanagh show was good for the area, Necarne is good. It’s great to have it so close to the town.

“There is talk of a music festival and all that coming, which would be good for the town.

“Anything extra that you can have that other towns don’t have, you are winning.”

Barry Quinn.

Back in Mahon’s, Mr. Mahon summed up the feeling of many of his regulars.

“Everything in Fermanagh stops outside the 30-mile hour limit in Enniskillen,” he said, while pulling another pint.