A meeting of the Fermanagh District Policing Partnership whose agenda had a presentation on 'business crime' and which was held in the Townhall, Enniskillen last Wednesday at the earlier mid-afternoon time to suit business people, found itself snubbed by those it was intended for.

Not one trader turned up, despite invitation letters going out to Lisnaskea Chamber of Commerce, the local Business Park, and the Irvinestown Forum. Ironically, Enniskillen Chamber of Commerce no longer functions, so no letter went there.

A spokesman for the Partnership confirmed that all three groups had been written to: "The problem with Enniskillen was they don't have a Chamber of Commerce, but we did place an advert in the two local newspapers. One of the things we were gearing up to was the fact it was to do with business crime.

"I thought somebody should have turned up. For instance, we had a Roadshow Policing presentation and 20-30 people turned up, so when you have something for the business community and nobody turns up, maybe it's not an issue".

Councillor Bert Johnston, the chairman of the Fermanagh District Policing Partnership, shared those views.

"It was a bit disappointing that somebody didn't send somebody along and, as for Enniskillen business people, I think they're losing out by not getting themselves organised, some sort of an organisation where you have a spokesman at least attending things of real importance to the town".

Mr Johnston, who is a self-employed businessman based in Ballinamallard, suggested there were very few towns that did not have a Chamber of Commerce or some representative grouping, and that was all the more reason why Enniskillen should be organised.

"I don't think", he added, "that it's good for the town and I don't think it's the way forward. If you take the Council: we encourage people to organise themselves so we can do business with them.

"For instance, as far as Enniskillen is concerned, the Christmas lights is the most important joint issue, then there is the annual festival, in fact, there are umpteen other things as well.

"One that springs to mind because somebody recently came to me to complain about is this whole question of over-zealous traffic attendants. He told me that a lot of people don't come into Enniskillen now because they were worried about being ticketed.

Now, if you had an Enniskillen Chamber of Commerce, then you would have its spokesman making that message and, because he is their spokesman, he or she would be listened to. But, if they were a mere individual, it doesn't have the same impact".