99 Problems…?

Man with a van…

iven the constant clashes down at Greystones’ marina, you’d have to wonder if any of the WCC folk who signed that 30-year contract with Sisk actually read it.

Whether it’s the 11-year fight for fishermen’s rights, the soggy doggie park or numerous other damaged or broken promises, it would appear not.

The latest split to hit the harbour fans involves the arrival of the much-loved Teddy’s Ice Cream on the main marina square.

There’s no question this 71-year-old institution makes a mean 99, and the friendly man in the van, Brian, is a local with a happy smile on his face and – perhaps more importantly – a permit from Sisk in his pocket.

A permit that reads…

Dear Sirs,

We confirm our agreement for Teddy’s Ice cream to locate an ice cream van at Greystones Marina for the purposes of selling ice cream, soft drinks and associated products on a casual basis.

It’s signed by the Sisk Group’s commercial manager Will McCabe, and, Brian assures us that he’s paying a hefty rental to be there. “Just like everyone else around here…”

Brian was first approached by Sisk a year and a half ago, to see if he wanted to set up ice cream shop on the marina, but the timing wasn’t right. No matter when that familiar Teddy’s van should park its comely arse on Greystones’ marina square though, you get the impression Brian knew that there was always going to be trouble.

And not only from those nearby selling ice cream, soft drinks and associated products on a casual basis. We heard from one café owner that Bernard Gallagher, who runs BJ Marine (and has long been at loggerheads with the local fishermen over berthing rights), angrily confronted Brian upon his arrival, that Sisk note sending the harbour master home fuming.

And this is where we get to the small print of that wonderful 30-year contract Wicklow County Council signed with Sisk…

6.15 “No person shall sell, or offer for sale, ice-cream or any other food or article whatsoever, or operate any commercial or business venture whatsoever within Greystones Harbour and Marina, save with the prior written permission of the Company and at such place or places and in accordance with such conditions as may be set by the Company”.

Nice ice, baby. We’ve got our own little Vatican City in Greystones. We sent an email to Sisk’s managing director Frank Quirk, asking him – amongst other things – if they really needed the money? Answer came there none.

Getting in touch with Wicklow County Council for their take on this genius arrangement, we were informed, ‘Wicklow County Council is not privy to the commercial arrangement between any ice-cream vendor and the “Company” i.e. Sispar Limited‘.

Thankfully, this isn’t Glasgow in the 1980s, and having Teddy’s in town isn’t really an issue, but having Greystones harbour run by a private company who don’t have to clear their commercial decisions for this public space with Wicklow County Council is most definitely an issue.

Luckily, we only have to endure another 17 years of Sisk being our harbour overlords. All going well, the dog park will be dry by then.