Footfall drops since redevelopment
DAILY traders at The Milk Market claim they are suffering massive losses, because of a public belief held they are closed for 26 weeks while the site is being redeveloped.
John Coughlan of The Edge, told the Limerick Post: “Since the temporary relocation of the Farmers Market to Ellen Street, shops have had their footfall drop from 8,000 down to almost zero”.
The nine shops that are open for business every day are completely in favour of the redevelopment, but most are disappointed that the Market Trustees have not helped them while work is taking place.
He said that normal footfall through the market at Christmas time was approximately 8,000, while it varied from 3,000 to 6,000 throughout the year.
Now that the outdoor traders have moved to Ellen Street, he believes the retailers on the far side of the market are losing out,
“The Market Trustees have made no effort in their advertising campaign and temporary relocation to help the shops. All advertising, signs and maps focus on the new Ellen Street location”.
It is believed that some Ellen Street businesses have taken advantage of the increase in footfall during the farmer’s market by opening early and selling refreshments.
Ciaran Walsh of the Fishing, Shooting and Archery Store, said they were experiencing testing times at a time of year when businesses make most of their earnings.
“It’s disappointing because they never thought about us… they didn’t promote us properly. We’re the foundations of the market, yet people think that we’re closed and our business has been decimated”.
He feels that most coverage of the redevelopment suggests that the market has completely closed,
“It gives the impression that the market is to close for 26 weeks and all shops are boarded up with their doors locked. On no occasion did they mention that the retail units remained open”.
These sentiments were echoed by his business parner Steve Normoyle: “Reports suggest that the market is closed but there are nine shop units trading here on a daily basis”.
Roberto Rocca, Cafe Lazio, has also been affected by the redevelopment, “Everybody is down on Ellen Street now on Saturday and we are losing the crowd moving in and out of the market”.
John Coughlan is frustrated by the lack of support.
“The Trustees failed to mention that all the retail units would continue to trade daily and because of this, many of he shops have seen their sales drop by over 50% since October”.
There are suggestions that one of the retailers is struggling to stay open due to loss of business, and Coughlan added: “If things continue as they are, I might have to close temporarily at some point in the new year”.
David O’ Mahony, chairman of the Market Trustees, responded: “We have certainly done everything we can to reduce the affect of the redevelopment on all of the traders”.
He said that a lot of time has been given to minimise the affect on business: “In the long term, we are trying to extend the footfall which occurs every Saturday to the rest of the week, and this will be very favourable for all involved”.
