Jobs hopes dashed as schemes are shelved

Hopes of a massive jobs boost in east Galway next year have been dealt a severe blow by the current recession, which has forced a spate of developers to either reviewing their plans or else proceeding at a more cautious pace until the national economic outlook improves.Hundreds of permanent jobs in the retail sector as well as construction jobs were expected to be created in the Ballinasloe area in particular, in the building of a number of major retail and light industry projects which were given the planning go ahead in the past year.However it appears the town’s economic recovery is at best going to be considerably slowed down by the current downturn. A year ago the town looked to be on the verge of a major economic transformation after years in the doldrums due to factory closures which resulted in hundreds of job losses, but it has now become apparent that the town may have to exercise more patience as it awaits a new era of prosperity.Brackernagh Developments, headed by local developer Paddy Delaney, held out the promise of 300 new jobs in their exciting €65 million shopping centre which was to comprise over 22,000 square metres of retail space, as well as a drive through restaurant, five screen cinema, and 750 car parking spaces.Although anchor tenants Tesco and Aldi still hope to commence building their stores on the site next January, they have put back the original ...