Sligo weekender 27 Feb - Rovers event cancelled
From the Weekender:
O’Connell St. traders block carnival plan
A carnival planned by Sligo Rovers for this coming Saturday has been cancelled because of objections from O’Connell Street traders.
Jugglers, fire-eaters, and sumo wrestlers were due to perform at the event, which was organised to celebrate the start of the Eircom League season, and Tohers sponsorship of Rovers for the coming season.
“We are very disappointed,” said Sinead Fraher, Sligo Rovers promotions officer.
“The timing would have been good with the start of the league. We wanted to give something back to the community especially the children who support us.”
Traders objected to the plans at a meeting of the O’Connell Street Traders Association last Tuesday evening. They felt it was short notice to be informed about the carnival less than two weeks before it was to go ahead.
However, it was agreed at the meeting that the Rovers carnival should go ahead at a later date, said spokesman Tony Wehrly, of Wehrly Bros. Jewellers.
“There is no animosity towards Rovers,” he said.
Traders at the meeting were not aware that the carnival was fully organised and that it was planned to coincide with the start of the league, he said.
“Furthermore, there was no row about the carnival at the meeting. It was more a discussion about the whole plan for the street now that it has been pedestrianised”.
Ms Fraher said: “I can totally understand their concerns. It is in the past now though. We hope Sligo Rovers can work with the traders to agree on another date,” she added.
The traders plan to draw up a charter setting out what type of events can be held on the street.
“We need to get the right mix of events. Sometimes they are great for business and sometimes
they are awful for business,” said Mr Wehrly.
“Traders agree that where possible events should coincide with festivities like St. Patrick’s Day, the summer, or Easter,” he added.
They asked the Sligo Borough Council to draw up a charter for them after the street was pedestrianised.
But the council felt the traders should draw up a charter of what they wanted and liaise with them to finalise the document.
The council and the traders have had no contact on the issue of a charter since the street was pedestrianised, said Tom Brennan, senior of Sligo Borough Council.
Fair play to Rovers for organising the event, & it is typical of the O'Connell St traders to object. Sligo's anti everything that doesn't line their pockets mafia strikes again.....
