Unfortunately there are going to be many photo-opportunities during 2009 here in Ireland because many businesses are likely to cease trading.

One thing that I have noticed over the years is that when there is a downturn in the Irish economy British companies are the first to leave Ireland. There are of course exceptions, M&S being a prime example.

I suppose that this should not come as a surprise, when they first open in Ireland they come on a mission to convert the Irish people and show them how things are really done. within months or weeks we discover that they are really offering second rate goods/service at inflated prices (exactly what we already get from Irish businesses) and we are supposed to be thankful. In the case of electrical goods they devote all their effort to selling extended guarantees.

In general they do not adjust to suit Irish conditions, some were unable to accept cheques from customers who could not supply an address which contained a postal code (everyone outside Dublin)

JESSOPS

Jessops are a good example of the issue in question. For years many people in Ireland imported from Jessops in the UK. In fact, Jessops had so many customers in Ireland they decided to open a store on Grafton Street ( a very high rent area)to service their loyal Irish customers. I went to the opening and was horrified by the prices, they were very high. Initially the staff were competent but over a period of time they became less and less competent. I also visited the shop on their last day of business as I was interested in getting a Sigma SD14 at the right price. The notices on the door claimed that there was at least 50% off all remaining stock. There was an SD14 on display at Eur 1300 so I had hoped that it would be available at Eur 1000 or less (at the time I could import it from Computeruniverse in Germany for about the same price including delivery). The sales assistant told me that Eur 1300 was the sale price and that they could not offer an further discount. In case you are interested the kit version of the SD14 in now available in Germany at Euro 570

According to a notice in the window the nearest branch is in Belfast.

They claimed to have a closing down sale so I tried to purchase a Sigma SD14 DSLR at the right price. It has been available for a few months in this outlet at more than Euro 1300 so I was hoping that I might be able to get it for Euro 1000. I asked what was the best that they could do and the response was Euro 1300 explaining that it was on sale elswhere in Dublin at Euro 1800, I was astounded as it was available from Computeruniverse in Germany for less than Euro 1000 including delivery by TNT. I checked the Camera Exchange and they quoted Euro 1200 for the complete kit and later Computeruniverse confirmed that their price for the body was less than Euro 900. Why would anyone pay Euro 1300 for and SD14 to a company that was going out of business in the Republic Of Ireland?

RHODES

The photograph above was taken in 2006 shortly after it had opened.

Maybe in is not fair to include Rhodes D7.

The food is (was) good as was the service. I say "was" as this restaurant is now closed until mid-March.

I had lunch here on the Sunday before Christmas and as they have never opened for lunch on Sundays or Bank Holidays I was a bit surprised. I asked the waitress if they were planning to open for lunch on saturdays and sundays going forward, she worded her reply in such a way that I got the impression that she had some concern about her future.

Today I passed the restaurant and it looked abandoned and according the the notice in the window it is closed until March 17 for "remodeling". Based on past experience I would be very surprised if it does reopen.

On a Wednesday in 2006 I brought my mother here for lunch but according the the hostess there were no tables available and she indicated that one needed to book six weeks in advance. If a restaurant has such a waiting list it is hard to believe that they would close for almost three months.

HABITAT



I know people who were addicted to shopping at Habitat and I could never understand why. They successfully traded on Stephens Green for many years and then they moved to an amazing building on Dame Street (originally a very large bank).

Here are some quotes from various sources:



"FURNITURE RETAILER Habitat has closed its shops in Dublin and Galway due to a "severe" deterioration in sales. The company, which has a big exposure to the decline of the new homes market, is the first major retail casualty of the economic downturn."

"More than 60 full-time and part-time staff lost their jobs last night when the company that runs the business, Conai Designs (Ireland), applied for a voluntary liquidation. Well-known for minimalist and colourful designs, the chain occupied a prominent store in Dublin linking Dame Street and Suffolk Street, and had an outlet in central Galway."

"Staff were called to a meeting last evening, at which they were told the stores will not re-open today."



BRASIL RESTAURANT

They had a notice in the window "Closed For Renovation" ... which is usually a code for "Ceased Trading". I returned a few days ago to check and this restaurant is gone.

GREENS BOOKSHOP



This was a famous book shop. They now appear to be operating as a web based retailer but I suspect that it is under different ownership.



KELLY AND PING



I actually liked this restaurant which is more than I can say for the new restaurant at the same location.

Quinlan’s pub in Terenure, Dublin,

Developer and solicitor Noel Smyth has sought planning permission to demolish Quinlan’s pub in Terenure, Dublin, and to replace it with a mixed use development. The developer’s company, Alburn, wants to build two four-storey blocks with a 300 square metre shop and 37 apartments. Basement car parking for 49 cars would also be provided. Smyth bought the pub in an off-market deal for around €8.5 million. The planned redevelopment is the latest example of a trend that has seen numerous Dublin pubs bought and demolished for apartments and shops.

Updated July 2007:

"Council rejects apartment plan or landmark pub in TerenureThe owners of Quinlan's pub in Terenure, Dublin 6W, have been refused permission to demolish the premises to make way for an apartment development.The pub's owners were seeking permission to pull down the two-storey premises and replace it with two four-storey apartment buildings comprising 37 apartments. The developer, Dodsbridge of 3 Arkle Road, Sandyford, also planned to build a shop at ground floor level."



THE APPLE CENTRE

This shop (close to Stephens Green) has been unoccupied for a long time



I am not surprised that they went out of business. A few years ago I decided to switch to Apple Mac and with £4000 to spend I visited this shop and could not get anyone to assist me. The one and only salesman looked up from reading his newspaper and told me that he knew nothing about Apple machines and that all the necessary information was available online.