Edenderry shortcomings highlighted as Tullamore shines in top Irish town list

Edenderry business owners have ranked the town as one of the worst in the country in a number of categories according to a review of Ireland's 100 best towns and cities, released on Sunday last by Retail Excellence Ireland (REI). The results, reached after interviews with both citizens and stakeholders, places Edenderry 86 on the list of 100. That compares unfavourably with Birr, which was placed 27th on the list, and Tullamore. Tullamore succeeded in comfortably being placed in the review's top quartile, coming in at an impressive 15th place overall. However even in Tullamore there's a sizeable gap between citizen and stakeholder opinion. Citizen opinions of the town garnered place it in 13th position, while Tullamore stakeholder opinion places it just 35th. Westport in Co Mayo was revealed on Sunday as top of the table, followed by Killarney in Co Kerry and Swords in Co Dublin. Over 11,000 citizens and 5,000 business owners were interviewed in September as part of the town and city survey to find Ireland's best 100. The survey and resulting review are part of an initiative launched last July by REI to encourage all stakeholders to work together to form a town team, and design and implement a town plan to reinvigorate towns and cities and re-engage citizens and customers alike. Nationally the key determinates of a town or city visit included proximity, the standard of retailer in the town, dining and entertainment options, parking accessibility and parking charges. The survey found dining and entertainment is the most important factor determining town visits from male respondents, while car parking accessibility and price are of more importance to both women nationwide and citizens in provincial towns. Stakeholder views in the review were reflected in lists of the top and bottom ten ranking towns in the country. Rankings from Edenderry stakeholders saw the town crop up in five of a total of six of these "worst ten" lists. The town was slated by business owners in categories including car parking availability, price and convenience; town streetscape, presentation and maintenance; town product, including retail, dining and things to do; local government responsiveness, efficiency and engagement and town promotions, events and general image. The town appeared in no "top ten" lists compiled from interviews with stakeholders. Both Tullamore and Birr fared better, with stakeholder opinion helping Tullamore to a top ten spot for security, safety and being family friendly. Birr scored a top ten spot meanwhile for local government responsiveness, efficiency and engagement, while Tullamore featured in the bottom ten of the same category. Meanwhile citizen opinion picked out feeling safe and secure in Offaly towns as high points, and pointed to a lack of things to do and see in Offaly towns at the other end of the scale. With Tullamore parking changes adopted just last week by Tullamore Town Council, it's interesting to note that just over 60 per cent of respondents questioned about Tullamore feel parking fees in the town are competitive. Just under 70 per cent of respondents agreed that there is an abundance of parking spaces in the town. Over 80 per cent of respondents feel Tullamore is well maintained, while the town scores even higher for its number of quality restaurants and pubs. Over 85 per cent of those questioned agreed that they feel safe and secure in the town, while 75 per cent feel there is lots to see and do in Tullamore. In Birr over 60 per cent feel there are an abundant number of accessible car parking spaces, while 65 per cent feel parking charges are competitive. Over 70 per cent feel the town is family friendly, while approximately the same percentage feel Birr has a unique and positive image and is well presented and maintained. Meanwhile in Edenderry 75 per cent of citizens surveyed agreed they feel safe and secure in the town, while over 70 per cent feel the town is family friendly. Just 50 per cent agreed there are many events and promotions run in the town however, while just 45 per cent agreed that there is a lot to do and see in Edenderry. Over 65 per cent feel the town is well presented. However only 55 per cent agreed it has a large number of quality retail stores, while the same percentage think parking prices are competitive. Welcoming the results REI chief David Fitzsimons said it's "the start of something big for towns and cities across Ireland". Meanwhile Eason Head of Property and chair of the REI town and city revival committee Cormac Kennedy said it's "critically important" that the results are used for improvement. "This should act as a road map for towns and cities to help them focus on areas that they can improve on," he said. "As retailers, we need to invest into our shops, and as customers, we need to visit our local towns and cities more often and remind ourselves what great things they have to offer." Following on from this survey, REI will form a National Town and City Revival Executive which will disseminate best town management practice and will actively promote such practice in all towns and cities across Ireland. The executive will be made up of personnel including town, county and city managers, Gardai, and personnel from REI, NAMA, Chambers Ireland and Failte Ireland.