Local Fianna Fáil councillor, Aengus O’Rourke, has described the arrival of new businesses to Athlone as “a great vote of confidence” in the town and in plans for its enhancement.
Cllr O’Rourke said it is hugely significant that established and successful businesses operating in other parts of the country are now choosing Athlone as a key location to further grow and expand their operations.
“Three such examples spring to mind,” Cllr O’Rourke said. “Las Radas Restaurant on Pearse Street originates from Naas, Co Kildare, where the Bradbury family operate a very successful tapas restaurant. The Galway Roast Coffee Shop hails from Tuam in Galway where they have operated successfully for many years.
“Also choosing Athlone to expand their business empire is Eddie Murphy’s Menswear, a well-known and well-established men’s clothing and hire shop operating in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, for the past 20 years. This is another very positive endorsement of the town by a successful business operator.”
Cllr O’Rourke said that each of these businesses are backed by serious, competent, and successful business people, investing serious cash in their businesses and in Athlone town. They are also providing very important employment opportunities for Athlone people, he added.
“Investors, business people, and entrepreneurs do not take the decision to expand their enterprise lightly or without thorough examination,” Cllr O’Rourke said. “Nor do they take the location for their expansion for granted either. Instead, they look at the future plans for the town and the overall potential of the town into the future, in their eyes Athlone’s future is bright and I agree.
“I want to extend a thank you to these businesses and the other newly opened businesses in the town this year for choosing Athlone, and I would like to wish them the very best of luck for the future.”