More retail needed for town

Ballyjamesduff locals have voiced a need for more retail in the town.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Philip Brady hailed Ballyjamesduff as a “thriving town” with a community to match it.

“The community is just fantastic up there, they do so much,” he said.

The people in the area have voiced a concern about retail shops closing in the area and not returning.

“A lot of shops have gone,” he said, adding that people go to Virginia or Cavan to do their shopping.

He highted the need for vacant buildings to be filled with supermarkets or clothing shops “where you’re able to buy a pair of socks or a pair of trousers” to avoid people leaving the town.

“It’s something I feel needs to be brought back,” he said.

Highlighting the rising population, Cllr Brady says the council needs to look at incentives to “make it more attractive to bring people back to set back up in Ballyjamesduff".

Close to Virginia, Dublin and Cavan, Cllr Brady said the town is “ideally located” for any “budding entrepreneurs” to set up a new business.

“We have a lot going in Ballyjamesduff,” he said, mentioning the county museum, excellent diners, fruit and vegetable shops, the mart and the presence of the Liffey Meats factory. “I think it’s a huge catchment area and we need more retail businesses in the town.” For those thinking of starting up their own business, Cllr Brady encouraged people to go to the Local Enterprise Office, saying mentors there give excellent advice.

“Our local enterprise office is there for young people or for any budding entrepreneurs to come back and set up in a town like Ballyjamesduff,” he said.

“Shopping locally and creating jobs - that’s what strengthens the community and the local economy.

“It’s a brilliant community, a brilliant town, it always has been!” he concluded.