A draft 10-year improvement and economic development strategy for the West Clare town of Kilkee has been placed on public display.
Prepared by Clare County Council in association with Kilkee Town Council and various community groups concerned with the promotion and development of Kilkee, the Draft Town Improvement & Economic Development Strategy 2013-2023 will be on public display from June 7th until 1st August 2013 while a public consultation will be held on June 20th.
The draft blueprint, which is being themed as ‘Towards a Better Kilkee’, seeks to generate new employment opportunities in a town that has a 36% unemployment rate, promote the local tourism product and enhance the physical appearance of Kilkee.
According to Cllr. Claire Haugh, Mayor of Kilkee: “Successful towns, although diverse, have something in common. They are attractive places in which to live, work and visit. Kilkee is no different. This strategy sets out a series of steps towards creating a better Kilkee for everyone. In order to ensure progress in its delivery it is important that the local community takes ownership and leads in its implementation with support from Clare County Council and other key stakeholders. I would urge anyone with an interest in the future development of the town to participate in the public consultation process between now and August 1st.”
“There are two main aspects to life in Kilkee, which are the key focus of this strategy,” stated Gordon Daly, Senior Planner with Clare County Council. He explained: “Firstly, the town is home to a resident population of 1037 people, many of whom can trace their families back for generations in the locality while others are more recent arrivals. Secondly, over the summer season the population of Kilkee expands and while the average may be in excess of 5000 there can be significant spikes which can raise the numbers to 15,000 people or more, drawn by the attractions of the area. The relationship between these two aspects is important to the economy and life of Kilkee.”
Mr. Daly noted that seasonality is both an opportunity and a challenge in Kilkee and that any a sustainable business needs to earn enough during the peak season to cover annual costs.
He continued: “The arrival of large numbers of people into the town annually is a huge testament to the enduring appeal of Kilkee as a holiday destination, as evidenced by Loop Head Peninsula’s recent success in The Irish Times ‘Best Place to Holiday in Ireland’ contest. However, in the light of shrinking visitor numbers and revenue of recent years, the town has to ask itself why the numbers are declining and how the town could position itself both to expand its visitor base and to capture the full economic benefit of the numbers who do visit.”
“The latest census figures show that while 295 of the 464 Kilkee workforce is employed, a further 169 are unemployed (36%). While not all of those employed in Kilkee work in tourism, it is the case that the sector represents the chief option for economic development in Kilkee. It is likely also that a significant percentage of the rate paying businesses in Kilkee are either entirely or partly dependant on the tourism sector. Population figures for Kilkee from Census 1996 (1331) shows a decline to 2011 (1037) and continuation of this trend is not desirable for Kilkee or its hinterland.”
“Economically, Kilkee needs to be considered in association with its neighbouring town of Kilrush. Development of links between the two towns in particular, and the wider area from Loophead to Doonbeg, can create critical mass which would be mutually beneficial to all communities in the area.
“Since successful towns are attractive places, Clare County Council wishes to assist in enhancing the physical appearance of Kilkee and to further the economic development of the town with this study. It is hoped that the study can form part of an integrated action plan for the rebranding and marketing of Kilkee for the benefit of all. The short and medium term priorities outlined in the Draft Strategy include carrying out a branding and marketing exercise for Kilkee, establishing contact with owners of all opportunity sites, promote the existing coastal walks by upgrading signage and information, conducting a survey of derelict sites in the town, carrying out upgrading works to the bandstand, producing a comprehensive scheme of street and lane signage, and establishing a Database of Accommodation linked to a comprehensive new website for the town,” added Mr. Daly.
The Draft Town Improvement & Economic Development Strategy 2013-2023 will be on public display from June 7th until 1st August 2013 at the Cultúrlann Sweeney in Kilkee and on www.clarecoco.ie / www.kilkee.ie. A public consultation will take place on Thursday, June 20th, in the Kilkee Bay Hotel from 3.30pm to 7.30pm.
Comments and submissions on the study can be made in writing to the Planning & Enterprise Development Department, Clare County Council, headed ‘Towards a Better Kilkee’, by 1st August 2013 or by email to forwardplan@clarecoco.ie (max. 4mb).
The draft blueprint, which is being themed as ‘Towards a Better Kilkee’, seeks to generate new employment opportunities in a town that has a 36% unemployment rate, promote the local tourism product and enhance the physical appearance of Kilkee.
According to Cllr. Claire Haugh, Mayor of Kilkee: “Successful towns, although diverse, have something in common. They are attractive places in which to live, work and visit. Kilkee is no different. This strategy sets out a series of steps towards creating a better Kilkee for everyone. In order to ensure progress in its delivery it is important that the local community takes ownership and leads in its implementation with support from Clare County Council and other key stakeholders. I would urge anyone with an interest in the future development of the town to participate in the public consultation process between now and August 1st.”
“There are two main aspects to life in Kilkee, which are the key focus of this strategy,” stated Gordon Daly, Senior Planner with Clare County Council. He explained: “Firstly, the town is home to a resident population of 1037 people, many of whom can trace their families back for generations in the locality while others are more recent arrivals. Secondly, over the summer season the population of Kilkee expands and while the average may be in excess of 5000 there can be significant spikes which can raise the numbers to 15,000 people or more, drawn by the attractions of the area. The relationship between these two aspects is important to the economy and life of Kilkee.”
Mr. Daly noted that seasonality is both an opportunity and a challenge in Kilkee and that any a sustainable business needs to earn enough during the peak season to cover annual costs.
He continued: “The arrival of large numbers of people into the town annually is a huge testament to the enduring appeal of Kilkee as a holiday destination, as evidenced by Loop Head Peninsula’s recent success in The Irish Times ‘Best Place to Holiday in Ireland’ contest. However, in the light of shrinking visitor numbers and revenue of recent years, the town has to ask itself why the numbers are declining and how the town could position itself both to expand its visitor base and to capture the full economic benefit of the numbers who do visit.”
“The latest census figures show that while 295 of the 464 Kilkee workforce is employed, a further 169 are unemployed (36%). While not all of those employed in Kilkee work in tourism, it is the case that the sector represents the chief option for economic development in Kilkee. It is likely also that a significant percentage of the rate paying businesses in Kilkee are either entirely or partly dependant on the tourism sector. Population figures for Kilkee from Census 1996 (1331) shows a decline to 2011 (1037) and continuation of this trend is not desirable for Kilkee or its hinterland.”
“Economically, Kilkee needs to be considered in association with its neighbouring town of Kilrush. Development of links between the two towns in particular, and the wider area from Loophead to Doonbeg, can create critical mass which would be mutually beneficial to all communities in the area.
“Since successful towns are attractive places, Clare County Council wishes to assist in enhancing the physical appearance of Kilkee and to further the economic development of the town with this study. It is hoped that the study can form part of an integrated action plan for the rebranding and marketing of Kilkee for the benefit of all. The short and medium term priorities outlined in the Draft Strategy include carrying out a branding and marketing exercise for Kilkee, establishing contact with owners of all opportunity sites, promote the existing coastal walks by upgrading signage and information, conducting a survey of derelict sites in the town, carrying out upgrading works to the bandstand, producing a comprehensive scheme of street and lane signage, and establishing a Database of Accommodation linked to a comprehensive new website for the town,” added Mr. Daly.
The Draft Town Improvement & Economic Development Strategy 2013-2023 will be on public display from June 7th until 1st August 2013 at the Cultúrlann Sweeney in Kilkee and on www.clarecoco.ie / www.kilkee.ie. A public consultation will take place on Thursday, June 20th, in the Kilkee Bay Hotel from 3.30pm to 7.30pm.
Comments and submissions on the study can be made in writing to the Planning & Enterprise Development Department, Clare County Council, headed ‘Towards a Better Kilkee’, by 1st August 2013 or by email to forwardplan@clarecoco.ie (max. 4mb).
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