Host of factors bring unprecedented challenges for traditional Limerick family firms

A COMBINATION of online shopping, poor car parking options in Limerick city, out-of-town shopping and Black Friday saw many traditional businesses struggle this Christmas.

Despite the improved economic climate, changes in consumer behaviour from the onset of the recession until now has seen some traders still left behind.

Michael Gleeson, of Gleeson’s Shoes in William Street said his trade has lost 15% to online retailing.

“It’s a very big hit,” he acknowledged.

But he feels Limerick Council could have done more to take the edge off this, saying a “rethink” is needed on city centre parking.

“I know it’s an old chestnut, but something has to be put in place to make it more flexible. We always talk about it. I feel it would be great if City Council subsidises parking in the city car parks to make it attractive to people to come back into town. As a retailer, I feel council is neglecting us big time – and I have no problem in saying that,” the outspoken businessman added.

The Parkway Shopping Centre has been one of the beneficiaries of a perceived lack of parking in the central district, with its manager Roger Beck reporting a “fairly successful Christmas”.

As for the city centre, Mr Beck feels that there are far too many taxi ranks – and the council should move them out of town, and have them only come in small groups.

“The number of empty parking spaces taking up space in the run up to Christmas was ridiculous. Why not have the taxis on a call-in system, where they can come in three at a time. Let the customers spending the money use the car parking spaces, and let the taxis come in as required, rather than giving cabs the space,” he said.

Prior to the festive season, Limerick Council offered free parking at the old Cleeve’s factory in the North Circular Road.

Taxis should be dispatched from here instead, Mr Beck suggested.

Businesswoman Helen O’Donnell said while economic conditions have improved, many customers remain nervous.

“People were very badly burnt [in the recession] and I think they are being very careful with how they spend their money. I’m told people are spending more on upgrading their homes and that type of work, as opposed to being frivolous with their money,” she told the Limerick Leader.

Peter Phelan, who manages Casey’s Furniture in Raheen, says this is borne out by evidence.

“Our own footfall this year has been very positive. Spend has been very strong for us,” he reported, “From my own perspective, we see a lot more people doing extensions and new builds. They are coming into us with big figure budgets.”

The impact of Black Friday on the local economy has been pronounced, particularly in terms of January sales.

The late November shopping phenomenon has seen retailers aggressively slash prices.

But Mike O’Connell, the former manager of O’Connell’s Menswear, Catherine Street, feels it is a move by big corporations “to drive the smaller guys out of business”.

The long-established retailer had to follow the trend in order to be competitive on this shopping day.

But he added: “These guys have massive buying power. Even though we were busy on a Black Friday, we need to make a margin.”

Despite unprecedented challenges to small  business, Mike feels family firms still have a future in Limerick.