THE REGENERATION OF Ballymun has stalled completely, a local councillor claims.
Sinn Féin’s Noeleen Reilly was speaking after the closing of the iconic Towers pub today.
While the closure had been planned, some staff reportedly found out through social networks that their workplace had shut down.
Reilly says that the closure, coupled with the imminent demolition of the Ballymun Shopping Centre mean that the town lacks enough commercial development for its size.
“There’s been zero economic regeneration of Ballymun at all.
“There has been great things in terms of community centres and local service, but there’s been no economic regeneration.”
Reilly says that a proposed €900 million shopping complex shows no signs of being built and the shelving of the Metro North project has severely hampered the commercial heart of the town.
Currently, Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) and Dublin City Council are in negotiations with the remaining tenants in the centre about possible alternative retail sites and the cessation of operations in the centre.
“They’re looking to de-tenant the existing shopping centre, but there’s been no incentives for people to start businesses.
“People have ideas to start businesses in Ballymun but there’s no support there.
You can’t even buy a pair of socks in the place. People are going elsewhere and so is their money.
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