HAVE YOUR SAY AND HELP THE ECONOMIC
FORTUNES OF BALLINASLOE Survey conducted by Paul Connaughton T.D. in May 2012
PAUL CONNAUGHTON T.D. Main Street, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Tel. (090) 96 46878 Email: paulj.connaughton@oireachtas.ie www.paulconnaughton.ie
RATIONALE
METHODOLOGY
Since opening my office at Main Street, Ballinasloe, many local people who have a stake in the town, residents, business people and regular visitors to the town, have expressed concern to me about the economic prospects of the town.
Surveys were distributed house to house in the town area of Ballinasloe and people were asked to drop them in the letter box to the office at Main Street. Completed questionnaires were returned over a number of weeks and have since been collated and the results compiled.
There are many approaches that could be taken to collecting information and ascertaining the nature of the problem, but in the first instance I decided to conduct a survey which would focus on who is coming to town, what is bringing them to town, what is stopping them from spending money in the town and what can be done to make the town more attractive, both economically and aesthetically, for those who come to town to shop.
RESULTS
Q1
“I LIKE TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL ECONOMY.”
I REGULARLY PURCHASE THE FOLLOWING IN BALLINASLOE...
100%
30%
65%
Groceries
Clothes
Restaurant
45%
70%
Books/ Professional Magazines Services
10%
100%
75%
70%
Livestock
Pharmacy
Hardware
20%
Gardening Agri-Supplies
5% Other
“NO DUNNES OR PENNEY’S.”
Q2
WHEN SHOPPING WHAT FACTORS ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?
CONVENIENCE: 940 SUPPORTING LOCAL RETAILERS: 890
PARKING ACCESS: 1020 PRICE: 1290
“THERE SHOULD BE FREE OR AT LEAST ONE-HOUR FREE PARKING IN TOWN.” BUYING IRISH: 860 OPENING HOURS: 620 FRIENDLY STAFF: 840
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 830
Q3
Q4
PLEASE RATE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS AS TRUE OR FALSE...
I VISIT BALLINASLOE...
Paid parking discourages me from shopping in Ballinasloe
TRUE 80% FALSE 20%
To buy groceries
90%
I prefer to shop in chain stores rather than independent stores
TRUE 50% FALSE 50%
To buy clothes
20%
I like to do my grocery shopping in Irish owned supermarkets
TRUE 70% FALSE 30%
To buy hardware
65%
Since the new motorway, I shop outside of Ballinasloe
TRUE 30% FALSE 70%
To socialise
75%
When going clothes shopping, Ballinasloe is my first choice
TRUE 10% FALSE 90%
For leisure purposes
80%
“PAID PARKING STOPS ME FROM BROWSING IN THE SHOPS.”
Q5
“THE TOWN LACKS A ‘CHEAP AND CHEERFUL RANGE OF CLOTHING.”
PROFILE OF RESPONDENTS
AGE
0-20 0% 20-30 15% 31-40 10% 40-50 20% 50-60 20% 60-70 5% 70+ 30%
FEMALE 65%
GENDER MALE 35%
Q6
Q7
PLEASE WRITE DOWN THE TOP THREE THINGS THAT STOP YOU COMING TO BALLINASLOE FOR SHOPPING:
TOP ACTIONS THAT COULD BE TAKEN TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHOP IN BALLINASLOE: Free parking Cheaper Prices Better Promotions
PAID PARKING LIMITED RANGE OF CLOTHES SHOPS TOO MANY EXPENSIVE SHOPS
OTHER ISSUES: Stop people drinking on the street | Cheaper clothes shops, Facelift for town centre| Take away tree boxes
Q8
WHAT PEOPLE LIKE ABOUT BALLINASLOE: Friendliness
Convenience
Leisure Facilities
OTHER THINGS PEOPLE LIKE ABOUT BALLINASLOE: Pace of life, low crime rate, home town/ supporting local businesses and October Fair
WHAT THEY SAID “PAID PARKING IS VERY INCONVENIENT, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.” “THE MARINA SHOULD SEE MUCH MORE ACTIVITY, THERE SHOULD BE A SLIP WAY.” “THE ATHLETIC TRACK SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THREE OR SIX MONTHS.” “THERE SHOULD BE A WALKING PATH FROM THE MARINA TO POOLBOY.”
“TAKE AWAY TREE BOXES FROM STREET, THEY’RE NO ADDITION TO THE TOWN.” “SO MANY BUSINESSES ARE CLOSING, IT’S NOT ATTRACTIVE LOOKING.” “I LIKE TO DO MY GROCERY SHOPPING IN IRISH OWNED SUPERMARKETS BUT OFTEN DON’T DUE TO POOR PARKING AND INADEQUATE CHOICE.” “OTHER TOWNS ARE A LOT CHEAPER.” “THERE SHOULD BE BETTER PROMOTIONS DURING THE DAY.”
“MORE CO-OPERATION NEEDED BETWEEN UDC, BUSINESSES, AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THE GOOD OF BALLINASLOE.” “THE SATURDAY MARKET IN ST. MICHAEL’S SQUARE SHOULD BE PEDESTRIANS ONLY.”
“I WOULD LIKE ATMS THAT WORK ON THE STREET AND LESS DRINKERS ON THE STREET.”
“GET RID OF DRUNKS FROM THE STREETS AND THE SQUARE, THEY ARE SEEN FREQUENTLY DURING THE DAY AND THERE SHOULD BE A NO TOLERANCE POLICY.”
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS Overall, I was surprised by the extent of the opposition to paid parking and the degree to which it puts people off shopping in the town. 80% of respondents report that it puts them off shopping in the town and, given the current economic climate, that fact simply cannot be ignored. Other major issues raised include the perceived need for a shop in town that sells cheap clothing, such as Penney’s or Dunnes. However, should such a store come to town, it would be vital for the economic vibrancy of the town that it be located in the town centre and by drawing a volume of visitors to the town centre, could benefit all other stores in the town centre. The need for promotions is also highlighted by respondents. Closer co-operation between all involved in planning for the future of Ballinasloe is needed, according to those who responded to the survey and I believe that their views need to be taken on board. Perhaps the traders in the town centre need to provide a more unified approach. Perhaps various streets could come together to offer a promotion on a particular weekend. I was also surprised by the number of respondents that reported being put off shopping in the town centre by public drunkenness and believe that this issue needs to be addressed. People reported being put off shopping in the town centre by the presence of drunk people on the street and pointed out that the problem is more visible in Ballinasloe than elsewhere. People care about Ballinasloe and the future of the town, so it is only fair that we give due recognition to the views of those who replied to the questionnaire. They are only a sample of public opinion, but I believe that the concerns raised by them are mirrored across the community. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to their survey, respondents obviously engaged with the task and came up with good and practical suggestions. I would also like to thank everyone that reads the results and perhaps by working together we can improve the economic prospects of the town. Should you have any further suggestions or comments on this survey, or actions that can now be taken, I can be contacted on (090) 96 46878 or at paulj.connaughton@oireachtas.ie Regards, 0612
Paul Connaughton