Saturday was worst trading day in 15-20 years
THE closure of the city’s two main bridges, to facilitate last weekend’s Duathlon, has led to sharp criticism, with city council accused of “driving a further wedge between traders and City Hall”.
At a meeting of the council’s Transportation Committee, businessman Tony Brazil, was highly critical of the closure of the bridges.
Mr Brazil said that while he welcomed Limerick’s City of Sport designation, he was not happy that local radio stations advised listeners to avoid the city centre last Saturday.
“The event is supposed to have brought in around €1million but I can tell you that for a huge number of shops, last Saturday it was their worst trading day in the last 15 to 20 years.
“One leading store was down about 800 shoppers than usual – you’d have to go back 20 years to find a day as bad”.
Mr Brazil said that events like the Duathlon were usually held on Bank Holidays.
“Instead, this one was held over two days when the entire programme could have been fitted into one day. There is already a very bad relationship between the traders and City Hall, even though about 50% of the city rates are paid by the business sector”.
Mr Brazil, who represents the business sector on the Transport and Infrastructure Strategic Policy Committee, said:
“I come in here and don’t get paid – I come here to be helpful, but I regret very much that a matter like this should have been allowed to happen – it is driving a further wedge between City Hall and the traders and there is no city I know of that puts on events such as the Duathlon on a working day when it could have been held on a Bank Holiday – let’s not have a repetition of this – can a better job be done in future”.
Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon said it was “frightening” to see so few in the city at 11am on last Saturday.
“There was also huge frustration regarding traffic management. To close two bridges was a bit much.
“We have to ensure that the shops are helped and maintained”.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, the Patrick Street retailer, Tony Connolly, said that last Saturday was “the worst we’ve had in decades.
“Even in the severe weather early in the year when we had icy roads and snow to contend with, the shops did better trade but we were crucified last week and it didn’t help that people were being told to avoid coming into town.”
“I can’t understand that the event was not held at UL, which is acknowledged as having excellent facilities”.
Responding to Mr Brazil’s comments in City Hall, director of services, Ollie O’Loughlin, said:
“I note your concerns and I will be liaising with the director of services, Pat Dowling. I understand the issue was discussed but not the level of detail.
“We will learn lessons from this”.
