Traders call for ‘immediate action’ to save Athlone's Church Street

Church Street in Athlone - one of the town's most historic and well-known areas - is in danger of 'dying a slow death', according to some of its most prominent business owners.

The stark warning comes on the back of a recent closure of more parking facilities near Church Street - this time in the shape of a small parking area formerly located at AIB's local branch at Custume Place.

Traders say the lack of parking options in and around Church Street has led to the public taking their custom to other areas of the town equipped with ample parking facilities.

And with motorists more often than not 'merely passing through', because of the one-way traffic system, it's left Church Street teetering on the brink of becoming a 'ghost street' - if the relevant authorities do not act to restore it to one of the Midlands' most vibrant areas for business and socialising.

That's the view of many of the street's current business-people, including Alastair Gray, Director at Burgess of Athlone, one of Ireland's longest established department stores, which first opened its doors in 1839.

“Sadly, the desolation of Church Street is just being allowed continue,” said Alastair.

“The demise of the street has been going on many years, and it's simply not in the best interests of the town - be they businesses, residents, shoppers – to have a derelict Church Street. It really needs to be addressed now before it becomes too late,” Mr Gray added.

Alastair, along with fellow businessman, the estate agent Stan Bradbury, are adamant that the first step in improving affairs for Church Street is to install a new car park. They feel that the “ideal place” for a car park is in front of the Athlone Civic Centre.

“That's where the car park was before, and there's no reason in the world why that car park couldn't be restored,” said Mr Bradbury.

“The parking at AIB wasn't massive but it certainly helped Church Street businesses, but it was taken away as well. Now, we are left with very little and it's unsustainable for businesses. As an estate agent, the first thing clients ask me is 'where is the car parking'? And so much potential business for Church Street goes abegging because of the lack of parking,” he added.

A decision to close the Custume Place car park was taken by Westmeath County Council late last year, with District Engineer, Willie Ryan, telling a meeting of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District that there had been an increased volume of pedestrian and cyclist traffic through the car park since the opening of the new Greenway Bridge, and that manoeuvrability in the car park was below any acceptable standard.

Whilst acknowledging that the car park at The Strand is a useful asset that aids Church Street, Mr Gray said: “That (the Custume Place car park closure) was another nail in the coffin for Church Street. Of course there is a certain amount of parking available at The Strand, which is helpful, but unfortunately that car park fills up regularly and quite quickly. This can lead to motorists arriving there, getting frustrated by a full car park and then heading elsewhere in the town. Compared to other car parks, like at Golden Island Shopping Centre or some hotels, the spaces at The Strand are quite minimal.” His frustration was further emphasised by Chiara Izzo, who along with her husband, Roberto Caiffa, opened the @Fine Italian Deli & Wine cafe, at 17 Church Street, in June of last year.

At first, she said, they had great impressions of Church Street, and continue to enjoy excellent relations with neighbouring businesses. But in time, she said, the flaws of the location and 'Athlone's current traffic system' have led to a downturn in business. She believes that Church Street is in a state of neglect at the moment, and also criticised a lack of effort by the council in terms of Christmas decorations on the street, saying that was another sign that Church Street is "not looked after properly".

“I can speak from my point of view and my experiences,” said Chiara.

“And what I see in Church Street is very worrying. Even in seven months here, we have noticed the volume of people in the street going down, and it is because of the traffic system and lack of car parking. Shops in this street are opening and closing very quickly. Without significant car parking, people will naturally go towards the large shopping centres, this is normal and I understand. It is not a problem with people not wanting to come to Church Street, more because the facilities here are not in line with other areas in the town, and that it is very sad for Athlone,” added Ms Izzo.

Among the businesses currently closed are Athlone fashion boutique Olivia Danielle, while The Prince of Wales Hotel has not been open to the general public for some times, while last year The Office Centre also closed down.

There have also been new businesses opening in Church Street, Mardyke Street and Sean Costello Street, in recent years, in the wake of two major streetscape projects.

Enhancement work was carried out on Mardyke Street, Pump Lane, and the now-pedestrianised section of Sean Costello Street, through 2023 and 2024, at a cost of more than €4 million.

Previously, Westmeath County Council, with the support of the European Regional Development Fund, invested over €4 million on a regeneration project of Church Street itself, which the council has previously said 'has given the centre of Athlone a welcoming, pedestrian friendly and modern town centre'.

The project, completed in February 2019, 'has transformed Church Street from a thoroughfare dominated by traffic to a street that is pedestrian focused with wider accessible footpaths, paved areas and seating, so people can browse in shop windows, stroll and enjoy the centre of the town at their own pace', the council has stated.

The reality of the situation on the ground, however, is different, said Mr Gray.

“The council will argue there is adequate parking facilities, as a whole, but it's completely unbalanced now with almost every avenue of traffic diverted towards Golden Island Shopping Centre.

“There is also a total lack of signage in and around Church Street. All these things have added up over the years and I would call for immediate action to be taken to help save Church Street. The situation for businesses is really that bad,” he said.

Mr Caiffa, meanwhile, said that everyone involved at council level should consider “if they are okay with not preserving the characteristics and heart of the town”.

“Unfortunately, people are merely passing through Church Street,” he said.

“All the developments, including the closure of the Custume Place car park, makes me wonder how much the council wants to keep Church Street alive. It is so disappointing because Church Street is the historic heart of Athlone and was so beautiful. But now, it is maybe dying slowly,” he added.