Only four of original tenants remain
SAVE Cruises Street, is the message from a leading retailer who warns that crisis point has now been reached.
Sinead Clohessy, director of Specsavers, claims that the recent spate of closures on the street had resulted in a substantial drop in footfall and turnover.
Limerick Chamber’s Maria Kelly said they were conscious of the problems in Cruises Street, “which, unfortunately”, are being replicated all over the city”.
Said Ms Clohessy: “We are 18 years here. This was once the flagship in Limerick…we seriously fear for its future.
“Cruises Street is going nowhere and has lost its appeal to shoppers. The High Street traders are leaving and there are no new tenants coming in. It is beginning to look like a ghost street, just like others in the heart of town.
“We, and others, have put our concerns to landlords and asked for reduction in rents, but they will not budge. We had sought support for Christmas lights on the street, but did not get it.
“Not only is the street proving unattractive because some leading names had pulled out, but we are besieged by beggars, bucket collectors and drunks.
“At least four premises shut their doors in recent times (as revealed in the Limerick Post), and there are strong rumours that at least two more are set to follow shortly”.
Ms Clohessy emphasised that sitting tenants had become very frustrated.
“A quick count shows that only four of the original tenants remain. That sends out its own signal. When Cruises Street first opened it had great appeal for shoppers, especially among young people. Unit owners were very selective and hand-picked the best clients. Now they cannot fill the vacant units.
“Unfortunately, many existing traders have their headquarters in the UK and we don’t know of their future plans. Neither do we have the opportunity to talk with them and share concerns”.
Ms Clohessy wants city council to listen to their plight.
“We, like other traders, have problems with the parking situation, not to mention high rates. Businesses were affected on Cruises Street after premises on Patrick
Street and Rutland Street closed to facilitate the proposed Opera Centre. Now it looks as if the Opera Centre will never get off the ground, leaving downtown Limerick with that neglected look and having nothing to offer. Cruises Street is caught in the middle and now feeling the draught.
“I was in Galway recently and it was thronged with people. There was a real buzz, and shops were busy. It is so different in Limerick city centre and the time has come for serious analysis of what is happening here. Cruises Street needs urgent attention, and if any more traders walk away the situation will only be exacerbated”.
Maria Kelly, Limerick Chamber of Commerce, said that unfortunately, Cruises Street was not unique.
“What is happening there is happening all over the city…a lot of our time in Chamber if taken up in discussing the problems in the city. It seems that shoppers are now stopping in the suburbs. Without sounding alarming, we are concerned”
THE changing face of Cruises Street… traders have expressed concern at shop closures like those pictured right, and left, a flashback to when it was very much alive with shoppers. Mayor Kevin Kiely has called a meeting of all traders in the city to discuss ongoing problems next Tuesday.
