Limerick Chamber members respond to Mayor John Moran's axed plan to close part of street

LIMERICK Chamber has said a three-to-one majority of companies it surveyed over the part-closure of a city street for a Christmas market did not back the idea.

It emerged last week that Mayor John Moran had shelved the plan to open a festive market in the Georgian Quarter.

The council had advertised a proposal to close one lane at The Crescent around the Daniel O’Connell Monument for the majority of December for the festive market.

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Off the back of this, Limerick Chamber, the largest business representative group in the region, surveyed its members.

In a letter to council, Chamber chief executive Michelle Gallagher wrote that following a survey of its members, “there was an overwhelming verdict in opposition to the closure.

“While some businesses were supportive, the majority were not supportive of the planned closure by a ratio of 3:1,” she outlined.

“For every one supportive business, there were three unsupportive businesses,” she explained.

Ms Gallagher said while businesses support initiatives like these, they think the timing and location is key.

“Many unsupportive businesses welcomed this type of event but proposed moving the market to another location to avoid shutting down this primary artery into the heart of the city centre,” wrote Ms Gallagher.

Among the alternative locations that were suggested were Arthur’s Quay Park, Pery Square, the People’s Park, Cruises Street, Bedford Row, Thomas Street or the area around the Milk Market.

“The road in question is seen as of critical importance for access to the city, and the opportunity cost is too great if it discourages people to visit the city over the Christmas period,” added Ms Gallagher.

She also asked council to communicate better with businesses which had queried the road closure.

Mayor Moran has indicated he will pursue a Christmas market next year.