'Stop doing down our town' traders tell Chamber president

A serious rift is emerging between some of Mullingar's traders and the local Chamber of Commerce, in the wake of last week's publication by the Chamber of a survey showing that significant job losses and business closures had occurred in Mullingar since the recession began.But Chamber President, Paul O'Brennan, a member of Fianna Fáil, has defended the Chamber's decision to publishing the findings in the controversial survey, which found that 50 out of 357 business premises in Mullingar's town centre were empty - and has said that comments being made against him have emanated from "certain elements of my own party trying to 'stir it'"."I think it was the best actual piece of work that the Chamber has done in ten years or more," he said this week, adding that nothing was to be gained by "hiding" the figures.However there has been a significant backlash from businesses around town, with letters coming to the Westmeath Examiner from three local businesses criticising the Chamber for publishing the findings - and criticising the president for having, the writers claim, portrayed Mullingar in a negative light when interviewed by RTE News about the survey findings.The Dominick Street Business, Traders and Residents' Association was to meet last night, Tuesday, to discuss the matter, Cllr. Bill Collentine, who is chairman of the Association told the Westmeath Examiner this week.In addition, Mullingar's motor traders have lashed out at Mr. O'Brennan."I was very disappointed with the negative comments from the President of the Chamber of Commerce - particularly on national tv - giving the impression that Mullingar was 'closed for business'," former Councillor Jim Bourke, a member of SIMI (the Society of the Irish Motor Industry), and a former president of the Chamber, said."Where the research document is reporting that 14 per cent of premises are closed in Mullingar: that is average at the moment, for all Irish towns, with some towns suffering even more," he continued.He was joined by Edward Tyrrell, of Grange Motors, who is chairman of the local branch of SIMI who believes that there is evidence of "green shoots" locally, and that the market for secondhand cars is growing again."From a SIMI point of view, we would feel it's very important to be giving a positive message," he said.Mr. O'Brennan said this week that his comments on the RTE interview weren't negative "in any way"."The main objective is to get a task force together to deal with the closures and help to get these shops filled again," he said."I'm not interested in sweeping the whole story under the carpet."Facts are facts, and people who try to hide the facts don't benefit the town in any way, shape or form."Jim Bourke said that the survey should have been kept as a "working document" by the Chamber for its own use."I don't think they should have publicised it because it is giving a bad impression of the town, and a false impression of the town, at a very sensitive time."We've had 12-17 months of deep recession, and we're starting to pull out of it."I can confirm that a multi-national has visited some of the bigger units on the main street of Mullingar with a view to coming to town and an international manufacturing company has visited Mullingar and Castlepollard with a view to investing in the area."Mr. Bourke said that many people locally are beginning to believe that the recession has bottomed out.But he also lashed out at the Chamber executive over failing to support the local motor trade."The president and 75 per cent of the executive do not buy their cars locally, and that has really upset the SIMI members," he said."Instead of the negative news, Mullingar should be promoted as a market town that has a core of original family businesses doing the best they can to adapt to the trading conditions with good value and special offers for all their customers."He pointed out that despite the gloom, his own Mullingar Autos is making a €2m investment at the moment at the Dublin Bridge in a new service and after sales department, and that from a customer's point of view, traders all around Mullingar have great value in secondhand cars - and are buying in secondhand cars as well.Eddie Tyrrell said that contrary to Mullingar being a town that is not doing well, motor dealers in Mullingar have been seeing an increase in footfall lately."The new car figures are dreadful, but we're seeing interest in secondhand cars and our after-care business is good."If there is positive news, I feel positive news should be published. As long as we report the negative, people squeeze their pockets tighter."