October 2014

Dear Retailers,

The Town Centre Committee would like to remind you that the Underground Car Park at the Mermaid Arts Theatre/ Civic Centre is available free of charge on Saturdays & Sundays.  We recommend that Shop owners/Managers & Staff avail of this. This in turn should free up parking spaces and provide ample parking for customers.  The barriers will be in the open position.

Below are some points we would like to bring to your attention:

(1)    PARKING: At our last Town Centre Committee Meeting it was agreed to approach the Town Council for Free parking for customers.  The Committee have come up with two ideas, and we would love to know, as soon as possible, which you would prefer by emailing info@braychamber.ie or calling the chamber office on 01-2828248.

  • Free Parking on Saturday’s from Halloween until Christmas
  • Free From 3.00pm every day from Halloween until Christmas

(2)    GRAFFITI: It has been highlighted by retailers and MDC officials alike that we have an issue of graffiti defacing shop fronts, shutters and walls around the town centre. This is unsightly and un-acceptable. Traditionally the Council have undertaken the role of removing graffiti from premises and have been held liable for damage to shutters, however they are not in a position to do this again. John Fitzpatrick (Bray Garda) has provided a document with details on Graffiti and steps to prevent and remove it. One important point is the only way to stop graffiti is to remove it immediately. Paint over it and do not ignore it! If ignored, it will spiral. There have been arrests with charges pending in one case regarding graffiti offenses. It is up to all of us to make our premises look as welcoming and professional as we can. We will be writing to the estate agents in charge of vacant premises to do the same.

(3)

 

WINDOW DISPLAY DEMO: There will be a demonstration on Window Displays held in the Chamber House on Tuesday 21st OCT at 10.30am. This is a FREE for all event and everyone is welcome – you never know what ideas you might pick up!  If you would like to attend you can call the chamber on 01 2828248 or email: info@braychamber.ie

 

(4)    SUMMERFEST: We are now gathering ideas to make plans for the Town Centre Summerfest 2015. So if you have an idea or suggestion that can be manifested into an event, please give a call to the Chamber office on 01-2828248 or email info@braychamber.ie. Get involved! Remember we are all in this together.

(5)    SECURITY (a) We have an agreement from Bray Municipal District officials to install CCTV in the car park on the Florence road/ Quinnsboro road. We will pursue this as with the dark nights on the way, we hope to make the town a safer place to shop.  With security in mind we have organised a Crime Control Presentation on Tuesday 4th November at 10.30am given by Christy O’ Rourke of Crime Control Bray in Chamber House.  This will be about Crime Control, Security Procedures and safety in the workplace.  This is a FREE event, If you would like to attend, please contact the Chamber on 01 2828248 or email info@braychamber.ie.

(b)   We have asked for an increase Garda presence over the winter months.

(c)    We have spoken to the Garda about the anti-social begging in the town. They have asked that we ring the station immediately and request to send a Garda to the incident. This especially applies to ATM and car parking machines. Always make a record or note of the name of the contact Garda and the time of the call – so a follow up is possible. Please realise if we don’t ring it will not improve the current situation. (Last week I made 3 calls on 3 separate days). Eventually it will be a non-desirable area for beggars.

(d)   HALLOWEEN PARADE: The Halloween parade will be taking place on Saturday 25th OCT, starting at 1.30pm at the Civic Plaza, at the Mermaid. Any retailers willing to participate in giving out sweets please call the Chamber on 01-2828248.

(e)   CHRISTMAS IN BRAY: You will have received a request to donate towards the Christmas Lights in Bray. Without lights, the town will be uninviting and un-atmospheric. There are lots of events planned to encourage shoppers to come into the town centre to shop, including the annual Bray Christmas lights switch on with Santa. Please be aware that without your support and contribution, THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN. We would urge you to support your town. The lights are provided for your customers!

 

Please support your town. Don’t leave it to others!!! 

 

Rory Benville                                                       Linda Fitzpatrick

 

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