The CEO of Limerick Chamber, Dee Ryan, has welcomed today’s announcement by Limerick City and County Council of a range of measures to be taken on the revitalization of the city centre in response to current challenges.
Ms Ryan said that while the city centre will undergo an unprecedented programme of investment over the next five years, there is a need for an immediate short-term plan to support businesses to attract more footfall.
“We are at the start of an unprecedented period of investment in our city. The Chamber has a vision for a thriving urban experience in Limerick and that’s why we put huge effort into supporting plans for the O’Connell Street Development to get it across the line, as well as supporting the Opera Site development at the An Bord Pleanála oral hearing before Christmas.
“We’re also fully behind the UL city centre campus development and multi-million euro private investments that will animate the city centre, such as the International Rugby Experience, the Kirkland Development recent planning success at Bishops Quay and plans for Arthur’s Quay.
“These projects in totality will be transformational for Limerick but it will take a number of years before we are cutting ribbons and opening new premises. Yet our existing city centre businesses need support today.
“In that regard, the Chamber has been urging Limerick City and County Council to put dedicated resources in place to tackle the challenges businesses face today and I welcome this plan for a range of interim measures from Limerick City and County Council CEO Pat Daly and his team.”
She continued: “The appointment of a City Centre Revitalisation Manager to head up this interim activity while we wait for all that investment to be realized is a very positive step. Having a dedicated person with ownership of this activity to ensure everyone is doing what they should be doing is essential for better coordination and effectiveness. We ask now that this person be given the resources and influence to make things happen and we look forward to working closely with the appointee.”
