Google Maps updated its Street View imagery of Wexford in October 2014 and added a history feature that allows users to view images of streets and shops captured during different time periods. The first batch of Street View images was taken in March 2009, as the recession was taking hold. The most recent update contained images from October 2014.
How much has changed in five years?
Although change is expected, the economic turmoil of the period accelerated it, forcing many shops to close and leaving retail premises vacant. It is only recently that a noticeable wave of new openings has begun to emerge.
2009
Chaz Bar and Walsh Cabs were located beside the F O’Connor Steam Bakery entrance.
2014
Both shop fronts had been vacated. In November 2014, the building was demolished to make way for a new car park. The iconic Steam Bakery entrance was preserved.
2009
Anu Bar, Springsteens, and the Lava Lounge occupied these premises in 2009.
2014
These buildings were occupied by The Party Bar and Mooney’s On The Quay in 2014. Both have since permanently closed.
2009
Shooters Bar.
2014
Metro 17, which had recently closed its doors.
2009
Redmond Road in 2009, showing PACO, Richie Doyle Butchers, Atlantis Seafoods, Bruce Betting, and Fusciardi’s Restaurant.
2014
The shops on Redmond Road changed considerably over five years. Richie Doyle Butchers and Atlantis Seafoods were replaced by Hidden Hearing. Crafty and Kebab Bite occupied the stores on the right. Crafty has since relocated to 27 Selskar Street.
2009
The corner of Redmond Road in 2009, showing Pat’s Dry Cleaners, Vodafone, and Budget Travel. The black store on the far right was a music shop called Square Discs.
2014
The store on the far right now belongs to Gillian Hayes Property Letting. The red paint on the old Budget Travel store has started to fade.
2009
Visible are Railway News (MACE) and Hughes & Hughes bookstore. Hughes & Hughes closed after its parent company fell into financial difficulties. The newsagents on the corner moved to North Main Street, opposite Charlotte Street.
2014
The corner shop is now unoccupied. A Polish food store called Polonez occupies the premises where Hughes & Hughes once operated.
2009
Selskar Street in 2009. The blue building on the left used to be Xtra Vision.
2014
Nosh Coffee now occupies the former Xtra Vision premises. Hibernian Insurance have vacated the building on the right.
2009
Selskar Street, as seen from the bottom of Well Lane.
2014
Most of the shops shown in the 2009 image are now gone. The Ned Buggy sports store was unoccupied.
2009
On the left, The Music Factory and La Speranza.
2014
The Music Factory nightclub was replaced by Metropolis. La Speranza was replaced by Central Station.
2009
Common Quay Street in 2009. On the corner, Keville Hairdressing. The building beside it housed a Chinese restaurant called Coriander.
2014
Blasta Cafe occupied the shop front across from the Bank of Ireland in 2014, but has since permanently closed. Apache Pizza occupies the building that housed Coriander.
2009
North Main Street at the corner with Rowe Street in 2009, when Kelly’s Bakery still had a presence on the main street.
2014
Kelly’s Bakery was replaced by Auntie Nellie’s sweetshop. The Hallmark store was replaced by Shu 4 U.
2009
Lowney’s Mall on Wexford’s South Main Street.
2014
The mall is now vacant. Downtown News has also closed.
2009
The GPS Homevalue Hardware store on Redmond Road in 2009.
