14/03/2012
Working in Enniskillen
As Enniskillen is so close to the Republic of Ireland, the town really benefits from visitors who make the short journey up north. Retailers take advantage of the exchange rate and the excessively high prices in the south to provide bargains which drive customers into the town. If you have a business in the town or are looking to begin one, sites like Enniskillen.com offer a range of advertising opportunities with side bar advertising on the website available for as little as £120 a year. Considering the popularity of the site, this seems like money well spent.
Economy in Enniskillen
As we’ve already mentioned, Enniskillen benefits from having significantly lower prices than in counties located just an hour or so away. This has helped retailers such as ASDA record extraordinary profits on a regular basis. ASDA’s store in Enniskillen is Wal-Mart’s sixth largest store in the world, making over £100 million a year. The economic crisis has hit all countries hard and those in the Republic of Ireland are making it known that they will not be ripped off. Stores in the south charge 50%+ more for goods than their Northern Ireland counterparts in some cases. An estimated 30% of trade is carried out in euros.
The town of Enniskillen is known for its arts and leisure facilities which is why evening spending comprises 30% of the town’s total economy. Due to the large number of historical attractions in and around the town, tourism is of vital importance. Although agriculture is also important in Enniskillen, it is not responsible for as much of the town’s economy as in smaller villages. The retail sector is the main earner and employs the highest percentage of staff in the town.
Lifestyle
If you are hoping to live in a clean and prosperous town, Enniskillen is one of the top choices in Northern Ireland. It has won the prestigious ‘Ireland’s Best Kept Award for Large Towns’ four times in the last seven years. There are a number of locations for lovers of the arts to enjoy including the Higher Bridges Art Gallery. Blake’s Of the Hollow is the most famous bar in the town and may well be the oldest in Ireland. The Enniskillen Leisure Centre is another attraction and the town has an unusually large number of restaurants, bars and clubs which means no evening in the town is ever dull.
Enniskillen is the only island town in Ireland and is also holder of a coveted Purple Flag, an award which celebrates towns that provide a high standard of nightlife, especially in the city centre. The independent committee looks at a variety of factors including the facilities available, number of visitors and crime rate. Enniskillen has a large number of CCTV cameras in the city centre which have been credited with reducing the level of crime and antisocial behaviour. Enniskillen is a town that lacks intimidation, instead rewarding revellers with a clean, safe and enjoyable place to live. The thriving business sector and the importance of Enniskillen to Fermanagh’s future mean that it will continue to grow.
Also check out Living in Enniskillen and 5 Sectors in Enniskillen, or view our Enniskillen Jobs
Steven Forsyth