New Chamber of Commerce makes waves in Cootehill

Despite these recessionary times, the town of Cootehill is fighting back with renewed energy under the leadership of a newly revitalised Chamber of Commerce. The new Chamber president, Don Smith told The Anglo-Celt that the goal is to give the town of Cootehill a heightened profile and image with a view to attracting new businesses into the town. There are up to 30 members now actively involved in driving the town forward with vision. "We are encouraging the younger people to join the Chamber, because they are full of great ideas. The blend of youth and experience is creating a progressive Chamber," said Mr Smith. He said the chamber is now in the middle of organising a number of community events at various intervals during the year. The first event is a fair day and sports in the street for the weekend of Saturday September 17 and Sunday 18. It is taking place in association with the Gerry Whelan memorial weekend. A new member in the Chamber and secretary, Conor McCrystal said he had been in business in the town for seven years in McCrystal's Pharmacy and had been on the fringes of the Chamber. He said Cootehill had survived recessions in the past. "You can see with the new businesses that are opening in the town that we are over the worst of it and we can look forward to the future. The people of Cootehill are resilient and are just getting on with business and life." The main festival day of Sunday, September 18, happens to be the same day as the All-Ireland football final and the events will be evolve around that event. A 10k road race will take place at 11am on the day and there will also be a 5k fun walk. They are also looking at closing part of the Main Street on the day and featuring pig racing, tug-o-war, bowls and a French Market has also been invited to the town. There will also be events for children including face painting and bouncing castles. The big wide street in the town is conducive to the staging of festive events and there is ample off street car parking. The Chamber will strive as well to regenerate the town's prowess as a market town. To this effect, the fair day will feature old customs of former market days. Enterprise Committee Malachy Magee heads up the Chamber Enterprise/Economic Sub Committee said it has been steadily making progress on the industrial front for some time and it was felt that retailing required an injection of new talent and ideas. "It is great to see so many retailers here today who are energised about doing their bit to further enhance the business image of the town." Mr Magee said there are currently a number of positives happening on the industrial front in the town. A new high-spec office complex is to be constructed on a green-field site off Station Road and construction work on this County Enterprise Board project is expected to commence in the next six months. It will be open to one business coming in and utilising the entire office space or alternatively, it can be leased out as individual office units. The Enterprise team also have enquiries about a number of units in the Enterprise Centre at the Cavan Road and this centre has proved a great success. Mr Magee pointed out that the connection of three Metropolitan Area Networks (MANS) for broadband in Bailieborough, Cootehill and Cavan town as well as the planned extension of natural gas from Bailieborough to Cootehill and Cavan is a huge priority and is presently with the regulator. "Together we are stronger and by linking our major towns, we will produce the critical mass of population to sustain entrepreneurship and innovation in our area, which will act as a catalyst for future growth in the county," said Mr Magee. Positives Other positives in the area include the recent designation of new company Optienergy Ltd as one of three high potential growth companies outside of Dublin being funded by Enterprise Ireland with potential to grow employment to 300 employees over the next few years. The present reorganisation and reconfiguration of public services in counties Cavan and Monaghan will also afford Cootehill an opportunity as it is centrally based, said Mr Magee. Chamber officers Other Chamber officers include Connie Whelan, vice president; Mary O'Toole, treasurer; and John Joe Lennon, PRO.