How should Abbeyleix adapt to the changes the new by-pass may bring,

Give Us Your Thoughts

Abbeyleix is going to be bypassed in June 2010, this will cause significant changes to the town, some positive, some negative. This forum offers you the opportunity to suggest ideas of how Abbeyleix can adapt to these changes. You can send us your feedback by completing in this form.

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Ideas Submitted So Far:

1) At the exit for Abbeyleix on the new motor way there should be a noticeable piece of Art to attract the attention of passers by and a sign which clearly lets the driver know that they can get food, petrol, sight see, accomdation etc. (Submitted 8/4/09)

2) An Abbeyleix website should be created which would promote local tourism, accomdation,  gigs,  sports events,  various clubs etc (Submitted 8/4/09)

3) Make Abbeyleix a WiFi town. Install a wireless internet loop  in the town which would allow people passing through to check emails, internet etc. Similar to what was done in Carlow town centre, it could also help local businesses. Why Abbeyleix? Abbeyleix sits between two world reknowned hubs of ecommerce (Dublin and Cork) and could market itself as a meeting point for the industry in Ireland.

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/15726/business/

(Submitted 10/4/09)

4) Have a day/weekend where the town is closed off to traffic altogether.
I live in Dungarvan Co Waterford (born and reared in Abbeyleix though) Here they close off the town every year and have a food festival and the crowd and the good will is huge.
Loads of artisan food stalls all over the town , Open up the park for more non food family activities (Much like the maytime festival years ago).. Then at night have a bit of the Ceol and Craic (Abbeyfest last year was a great success)..
Abbeyleix is a great little town…All too often I’ve heard people say ‘Abbeyleix nice little town shame about the traffic’…
Bring on the bypass!!! (Submitted 12/4/09)

5) As a retailer in Abbeyleix I feel it is vital for the survival of Abbeyleix as a town to encourage the local community to give more support to local businesses. These businesses have suffered with the locals for many years due to traffic congestion. I will be working on new ways to reduce prices by having new negotiations with suppliers. Some of these discussions may be fruitful but it will largely depend on the level of support I receive from the local community. My objective is to provide a broad range of goods at somewhere close to UK retail prices. It is a hard task to achieve but one I feel is possible with the support of the community. It is important for all businesses in Abbeyleix to get the support as it is only then they can provide better value and product range. Strong promotional activity from local businesses will help keep business in Abbeyleix. All businesses in Abbeyleix are Irish businesses and provide local employment as well as supporting local farmers. Customer service is at the top of our list in Clelands with prices second on our list. The foreign supermarkets cannot provide the same level of service as they are only interested in profits. I on the other hand wish to provide a quality service with great all round value for money. I feel this is something which can be a selling point for the town of Abbeyleix. In Abbeyleix we know who you are, and we want to satisfy your needs where possible. In other towns you are just a number where they do not appreciate your custom in the same manner as we do in Abbeyleix. Abbeyleix is a lovely place to be in at any time. It does not have the hussle and bustle found in other larger towns. The people are friendly and generous with their time. The people of Abbeyleix are proud of their town and rightly so. If the money being spent outside of Abbeyleix could be spent in Abbeyleix it would be possible to increase employment by approximately 20% to 25%. Abbeyleix has a fine selection of unique stores and with the bypass will encourage the opening of new stores in the vacant units in the town. I would not like to single out any one store forparticular attention just that it is worth checking out each store before travelling to a different town. If the store does not have the product you are looking for then please ask the store manager or store owner. I am sure they will do everything in their power to fulfill your needs. (Submitted 13/4/09)

6) The location of a centre for arts, crafts, farm shop, and facilities for those on long trips and coach tours.  I am going to present an idea to Laois County Council shortly for consideration

7) We need to have year round festivals such as traditional music festivals etc, easter festival, Christmasfest where people can come for Christmas shopping and celebrations, have street parties in summer. why not? keep them coming, we need PEOPLE visiting Abbeyleix all year around……The location of a centre for arts, crafts, farm shop, and facilities for those on long trips and coach tours. (Submitted 22.4.10)

8.  I have a number of ideas for Abbeyleix, but I think that the most important thing that was said to me recently by someone who is from Rathdowney and who lives close to Naas is that Abbeyleix has to remember, closing the motorway, will give Abbeyleix back to Abbeyleix.  The most important people to Abbeyleix are the people who live around it.  ….

Every town/village in Ireland can be a place where people could come to research their family history/genealogy/roots and lots of counties have somewhere to do this kind of research – Abbeyleix has way more and it’s in the weaving of these things together that willl make Abbeyleix different.  Nobody will tick your genealogy question, but may be the first.

(Submitted 28.4.10)

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