THE chief executive of Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Rita McInerney, has expressed concern over the “doughnut effect” in the town due to the negative impact of out-of-town retail centres.

THE closure of 13 businesses in Clare’s county town, in addition to 70 vacant units, has led to a new Ennis initiative to help it “trade out of the recession”.

PLANNERS in Ennis are scratching their heads as to why a well-known developer has lodged two almost identical applications for a €40 million retail park.

ENNIS Town Council has put on hold contentious plans for a €40 million retail park.

BUSINESS associations along with independent traders’ body, RGDATA, and An Taisce are opposing plans for a €40 million retail park on the outskirts of Clare’s county town.

US-OWNED Microsemi has reversed its decision to close its Ennis electronics plant.

ENGLISHMAN Bob Avis arrived at the Irish Open yesterday and proclaimed he had discovered heaven on earth.

TWO Ennis businessmen have acquired the Fitzpatrick Bunratty Hotel for an estimated €12 million plus and plan to invest a further €10m to add 39 holiday homes to the complex.

THE people of Ennis are no strangers to the national limelight after it was named as Ireland’s Information Age Town five years ago.