Mullingar Chamber president, Pat Whelan, is welcoming all businesses in the area to a town hall meeting this month, Monday August 15 at 7.30pm at the Parish Community Centre on Bishopsgate Street.
Speaking to the Advertiser Mr Whelan explained that the meeting has been arranged to mend the fractured relationship between the chamber and local businesses and to hear ideas from everyone interested in creating jobs and boosting revenue in the town.
“I’m holding this meeting with everyone so that we can look at ideas to increase business in town. When it’s raining you put up an umbrella, and it’s the same for businesses in the town right now, we need an umbrella.”
The town has already carried out successful business generating events including Fiver Friday and last weekend’s Joe Dolan Festival. “We want to see how we can improve on these ideas,” adds Mr Whelan.
The chamber president feels that by gathering all the business people of the town in one room they can discuss ideas. “There’ll be no politicians invited. I want to hear from the people on the front line. So far we’ve had a very good reaction from businesses about the meeting.
“It will be held in the Parish Community Centre on Bishopgate Street. I think it’s important to have it at a neutral venue.”
Mr Whelan hopes that by uniting the town ideas can be turned into plans. “Mullingar is competing with Athlone and Tullamore, there are some issues that need to be addressed including our IDA park, land for heavy industry, and the Athlone to Mullingar railway line. We all need to knock heads and see what comes of it.”
Community, voluntary, charity, and sporting groups as well as any individuals worried about the future of the town are also invited to come along to voice their concerns. The meeting will take place in the Parish Community Centre on Bishopsgate Street from 7.30pm on Monday August 15.
For more information call (044 ) 9344044.
