Chamber to host webinars to discuss future for Athlone streets

Athlone Chambers of Commerce is set to host a series of three webinars to start a conversation about the future of key streets in Athlone.

Pre-registration for the event, 'Our Streets, Let's Talk' is required and it is fully open to the public.

A panel of expert speakers will discuss the challenges and opportunities for Athlone as we look forward to a post Covid era.

The first event takes place on Thursday morning, December 9, at 9am when Westmeath Independent editor Tadhg Carey will chair a discussion focusing on Church St, North Gate Street, Mardyke Street and Sean Costello St. The event will last one hour and the link for registration is online and across all social media platforms of Athlone Chamber, including the website www.athlonechamber.ie.

The panel includes Senior Town Planner Cathaldus Hartin who will discuss plans for the future and consider what may be possible to help improve or transform our primary streets. Also providing a different perspective, will be Dean at the faculty of Business at TUS, Michelle McKeon Bennett.

Commercial property expert Andrew Carberry, Director at Power Property, will discuss the various commercial properties that line the streets and how they can evolve or transform to make our streets richer in character, while maintaining their historic importance.

Athlone Chamber President Alan Shaw announcing the event, said: “We want this to be the start of a conversation about our main streets and help us to create a vision that can make them better. Getting different perspectives is key to understanding what we want and how it can be made possible.

"I sincerely hope that lots of people will register and attend these panel discussions as I believe that they will be the beginning of something new and exciting in our town. I also thank all our panellists and chair who have agreed to become involved in the panel discussion. I have no doubt that their knowledge and expertise will inspire and initiate a wider discussion in our community.”

Athlone Chamber CEO, Gerry McInerney announced dates for the January and February webinars. He said: “On January 20, the panel will focus on St Peters Square, Castle St, Main St and Bastion St, while on February 10 the focus will be on Connaught St and Pearse St. In addition, Athlone Chamber will produce a report by the end of March 2022 to summarise the key findings of the webinars and make recommendations. The involvement of the public is key to the success of the webinar and questions and comments can be submitted during registration or by using the chat box during each of the three webinars.”

Register here or check the social media platforms of Athlone Chamber of Commerce