Personal Message from Gerry Murphy | 1st March 2010
Since 1997 we have all worked tirelessly to renew Churchtown and create sustainable employment. Mostly we have invested profits from operations removed from Churchtown to subsidise employment in the village in the expectation that our businesses would become viable in their own right. Thankfully, with revenues projected to exceed €100 million in 2010 Great Gas Petroleum has become very successful, has gone from strength to strength and is now a viable nationwide business. This is also true for Market House Management Services which is a business operating in Ireland and internationally that ironically has probably more potential for fee income in a downturn.
On the other hand some other business initiatives we have created or expanded in Churchtown have struggled to reach breakeven and since the economic downturn weekly losses have had to be subsidised from elsewhere. In reality, when large banks and multi national retailers are shedding staff and cutting costs Churchtown cannot be immune from this trend and we must face reality and make difficult decisions in order to maintain what is viable.
Kendlebell
Regretfully Kendlebell in Churchtown is to close with the loss of 6 jobs. Kendlebell started in May 2007 as a rural renewal initiative which would provide high quality jobs in a modern economy. Unfortunately the lack of a suitable business broadband service in the village caused many operational problems, raised our costs considerably and added to large start up losses. However, we still managed to sell the Kendlebell service to over 75 businesses nationwide. In the end, however, it was the loss of a third of our customers over the last year that left us with no option but to close the loss making business. All remaining 50 customers will now be transferred to another Kendlebell franchise operation in Dublin by 5th February 2010.
Market House Management Services
Market House Management Services continues to trade well providing services to a number of different businesses. In this business I am ably supported by Mark Jakeman and Mary Morrissey who are located in the Market House in Churchtown.
Great Gas Petroleum (updated 25th June 2010)
Thankfully, Great Gas Petroleum is going from strength to strength and three new full time jobs were created in this business in 2009/10. GreatGas now employs 8 full time staff with 5 based in the Market House. GreatGas is the fastest growing fuel company in Ireland and supplies 49 GreatGas branded forecourts nationwide and a further 25 non-branded stations. The GreatGas success story is certain to continue despite the economic downturn and further jobs will be created in Churchtown because of this growth. Click here to go to the GreatGas web site.
Costcutter Shop
Of course, everyone is free to buy what they like where they like and our shop, like every other business, has no automatic right to exist. However we would ask you to bear in mind the services Ripton Kelly and family provide to the people of Churchtown and, if possible, you would consider using your local shop for your convenience store purchases. As well as all the goods you would expect to see in a village convenience shop our services also include Lotto, ATM (which we rent from AIB), bill pay, phone top-ups, and cash back facilities.
Thank You
We would like to thank the people who will be leaving us and wish them every success in the future. They all made a valuable contribution and it is not their fault that sales reduced to a point where we cannot sustain all the jobs we have created. While it will continue to be financially difficult for people in general, and most especially those who have lost employment and business people who have lost their businesses, we believe the general economic climate in Ireland will begin to recover and modest growth will begin again in 2011 and Ireland will emerge stronger and better from all this economic turmoil.
In times of adversity we need to focus on what is positive in our community and country and we need to support local businesses. This is one way we will preserve and create more jobs in the future in Churchtown.
