The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) is to fund the clean-up of the derelict part of the Silverbridge Shopping Centre in Claremorris. Work is due to start shortly and the project is being carried out by Conway Builders, Westport.
Welcoming the news, Chamber of Commerce President Jimmy Flynn, who put the proposal to NAMA in April, thanked the agency for moving so swiftly.
“NAMA were positive from the start and when they wrote to us in June, they were already working on the detail with Conway Builders. This is very good news for the commercial fabric of Claremorris,” said Flynn.
The project involves landscaping the plaza to the front of the unfinished building, laying new public footpaths from the Knock road/Kilcolman road junction into the shopping and car parking areas, and putting new hoarding immediately around the unfinished building. The vacant house and old timber hoarding are being taken down. The public will have access through the plaza area which is currently off-limits. All of the work should be fully finished in time for Christmas.
“We’re delighted this part of the centre is to be finished. We hope that work will start by the end of this month or in early October. This will restore the connection between the traditional and new shopping areas of our town and send the message that Claremorris is open for business,” added Mr Flynn.