IT’S now official…work on the promised major refurbishment of Limerick’s Milk Market will get underway no later than September.
With full planning permission secured and the one appeal against the development turned down by An Bord Pleanala, business man and member of the Market Trustees, David O’Mahony, has confirmed to the Limerick Post that they are in the process of finalising the documentation to go to tender.
“We are looking at no later than September to commence, with completion by March or April. The work involved is pretty straightforward – phase one will be the removal of the old cobbles and the installation of groundwork facilities – water, electricity, stalls, etc and then move to phase two, which will be tensile roof structure”. Asked if it is necessary to remove the centuries old cobbles, he pointed out that regulations applicable to the trade of food produce call for certain requirements and standards to comply with Health and Safety standards.
“There are new obligations on traders and greater expectations of customers in this area,” he said.
Confirming that the market will close during the period of development, Mr O’Mahony, who ruled out the Potato Market as an alternative temporary market site, revealed the traders will be relocated to an alternative site within the locality.
“There will also have to be some readjustment for the casual traders – those traders who operate in the designated area outside the walls of the Milk Market and Limerick City Council, which has responsibility for these traders, are currently looking at this – the council is being very attentive to all the interests in the area”. He gave a firm assurance that the finance is in place for the project.
Limerick Chamber chief executive, Maria Kelly, who is also secretary of the Market Trustees, said the redevelopment will offer six-day opening, a much wider range of facilities, stalls, produce, arts and crafts, specialities and daily attractions for shopper.,
“It will trigger huge interest in this part of the city – the potential there is amazing and while there will still be an open air feel to it, the tensile roof structure will offer protection from the elements.
“Despite the delays involved in getting the Opera retail Development up and running, the good news from the developers is that they are one hundred per cent behind it and when it does get underway, both developments will flow into each other. City Council is looking at this area in terms of the public realm and is working closely with us.”
