Against the National trend new shops continue to open in Enniscorthy. In Castle Street 'Mary-Elizabeth', a ladies fashions shop, brings a badly needed boost to the street, while at the top of Main Street 'Pastel d'Creme', a cafe/bakery, appears to be doing a brisk trade - it was even open this Sunday morning - and reports are excellent. Doubtless I will find some excuse to sample their buns before too long. However, not all the news is good and a new shop 'Ruby Junktion', selling vintage furniture and homewares, at the bottom of Slaney Street came and went so quickly that few will even have noted its existence! Retailing is not an easy way to make money and anyone thinking of opening a shop in the current climate should seriously weigh up the risks before taking the plunge. Rent/rates/water charges and insurance make it a very risky business, especially now when people are cutting back on everything except essentials. Most retailers in the town that will see out the recession are owner occupiers. Sorry for the pessimistic end to this post.
