Ennis Town Council today officially opened a 14-Bay Coach Park in Ennis town centre.
The Local Authority says the development forms part of its strategy to attract new coach visitor business to Ennis.
The Friar’s Walk Coach Park, located close to Glór Theatre, features 14 spaces, on-site facilities and a drop-off / pick-up bus shelter 100m from the town centre. The free facility is also equipped with a Water Supply for Coach Washing, Waste Water Disposal Facilities, 24-hour CCTV Monitoring, and a Drivers Lounge in the nearby Temple Gate Hotel with CCTV and free wi-fi internet access.
Speaking at today’s official opening event, Mayor of Ennis Cllr. Peter Considine said: “The Council has been conscious of the longstanding issue of the lack of ample coach parking in Ennis town centre. Up to now, some operators have opted to bypass the town due to the lack of such parking facilities. Coach Tourism remains very important for Ennis businesses and therefore, this development will provide a significant boost to the local business community.”
Commenting on the provision of a new Coach Park at Friar’s Walk near Glór, Ennis Town Manager Gerard Dollard stated: “Coach Tourism is critically important to the local tourism and hospitality sector. It is estimated that a coach of visitors can spend up to €3,000 on a short day trip of shopping in Ennis' attractive shops, boutiques and restaurants. The Council and its Elected Members along with members of the local business community have worked together therefore, to deliver this project as a way of facilitating coach operators with easier access to the town centre.”
Welcoming the creation of the Coach Park at Friars Walk, President of Ennis Chamber Brian O’Neill said: “It is imperative that if we are to promote Ennis as a tourist destination town and a great place stay, shop and enjoy that we have accessible, available and convenient coach parking facilities in the centre of our beautiful town. I would like to congratulate Ennis Town Council on this excellent initiative.”
