Xtra-vision job losses for Ballina and Castlebar

Ciara Galvin

THE decision by DVD rental chain store Xtra-vision to close its stores in Ballina and Castlebar has resulted in the loss of approximately 30 jobs.
The announcement was made last week following the company’s liquidation that came into immediate effect and has had serious consequences for it’s staff in the two stores. The Mayo closures are among 28 stores which are due to also close.
HMV owner Hilco Capital bought Xtra-vision in 2013 but with dwindling DVD sales and changing consumer habits thought to be the main reasons behind the decision, the stores on Lower Pearse Street in Ballina and Hopkins Rd in Castlebar will remain closed.
Independent councillors Michael Kilcoyne and Gerry Ginty were each in agreement yesterday (Monday) about the closures in their respective constituencies.
“I think it’s up to 17 full and part time positions lost. It was only two years back in business, it’s really upsetting for staff. There’s no sign of replacement jobs. The market is changing and customer demands are different, but it’s job losses we can’t afford,” said Cllr Kilcoyne.

Vacant units
Cllr Kilcoyne said the closure will result in ‘another vacant unit’ in the town which already has a high number of empty units.
“All of these units will remain empty until there is real job creation. Service jobs are needed. Unless you have people working in the town, they won’t be there to buy goods and services.”
The Independent councillor made reference to emigration as a contributing factor to shops closing down.
“It’s over two years since the 150 Northgate jobs were announced and to date there has been less than a dozen jobs there. We have been left behind. Whoever’s fault it is, we have been forgotten about.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Gerry Ginty described the job losses as a ‘blow’ to Ballina and said there was ‘very little’ coming to the north Mayo town.
“What about the so called business park on the Enniscrone Road, five years ago we were told machinery would be moving any day. Now it’s completely barren,”said Cllr Ginty, adding that the loss of these jobs could effect the security of future jobs in the town.
Despite the jobs blow, Cllr Ginty highlighted that the property market in Ballina was on the up with a lot of property being sold in recent times.
“There’s a huge amount of property being bought up, there’s something happening but there’s no jobs coming.”