Loss of family business another blow to Aughnacloy

Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott MLA and local Ulster Unionist Councillor Jim Hamilton have expressed their fears that the once thriving border town could be soon devoid of commercial premises with the announcement that Watson Motors have been acquired by Donnelly Bros in Dungannon and the business will be transferred to the Moy Road site of Donnelly's.

Tom said: I must pay tribute to Watson Motors (formerly Watson & Hadden) which has been in business for over 50 years in Aughnacloy and the huge contribution that the company has made to the local economy and to the community. It is regrettable that Toyota removed their agency from this company a number of years ago due to the fact they wished the dealership to be in Dungannon rather than in Aughnacloy and this certainly did not help the company.

I wish Donnelly Bros continued success in their expansion and trust that many of the highly skilled staff who have worked in Watson Motors can be transferred to the Dungannon site. The most worrying aspect of this latest development is that large areas of the Main Street will be devoid of commercial premises, this coupled with closure of Northern Bank in Aughnacloy means that the once busy main street will have further vacant properties and will do nothing to attract passing trade in the town. Added to that is the high number of vacant domestic properties in the town.

I recently met with Community Groups and it was highlighted at that meeting that affirmative action is required to rejuvenate and renew the decline in many of our rural towns, whether it be social houses or business parks as a matter of urgency. It is important that the local business community are given assistance to help retain Aughnacloy to a vibrant border town. We have witnessed in Enniskillen, Newry and Strabane how the influx of Southern shoppers has made these areas into "boom towns" and the same could apply to Aughnacloy."