Traders demand parking concessions in city centre

Saturday free parking would be starting point

THE absence of spaces, and the costs involved in parking in high-rise parking lots, are significant factors in deterring customers from coming to town.

So say city centre business owners.

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The majority surveyed believed it was not necessarily the current economic climate that was off-putting but rather the difficulty in parking, and the cost factor involved.

Gerry Clancy of Clancyโ€™s Electrical, suggested that The City Council should introduce the regulated free parking system used in Europe.

โ€œIn Germany, France and the UK, they have introduced a disc parking system in which the first hour is available free to commuters in the cities. They then pay for subsequent hours. This would be a great incentive to bring people into the city as many people can go about their business within the hourโ€.

Gerry continued: โ€œBusinesses are continuing to close down in the city. There are eight empty retail units on Oโ€™Connell Street alone, a further four on Shannon Street and six on William Street, which is indicative of the economyโ€

However, he also holds the opinion that the council should be doing their bit in encouraging retailers to rent in the city.

He said: โ€œRent is cheaper in the city than it would be in shopping centres like The Crescent, which is a great incentive for businesses, but The Council rates are always rising. They would want to curb the increases, or Limerick city will be like a ghost townโ€.

In Carraig Donn, on Oโ€™Connell Street, manager, Tara Cribbin, agrees that free parking in the city would be beneficial to central businesses.

โ€œFree parking on a Saturday would really bring people back to the city,โ€ she said. โ€œThe shopping centres are at a real advantage as they have free parking all day every day. Despite that, our businesses in The Crescent, the city and Jetland, are all doing equally wellโ€.

The Limerick Post found that Nevilleโ€™s Shoes was buzzing. Office manager, Elaine Oโ€™Brien, commented that business was good for them but noted that ease of parking along with cheaper parking, would be beneficial to the city.

โ€œWe have a great sale going on at the moment so business is booming,โ€ she said, but added: โ€œItโ€™s not only expensive to park in the city but itโ€™s also difficult to find a space.

โ€œI think the Council should organise some events and more markets to bring a positive atmosphere to the city. They should show us that they are making an effort to bring people into the city.

โ€œThe pedestrianised streets are great though, and make the city safer for consumersโ€.

ย Paul Frawley, manager of Black Tie on Oโ€™Connell Street, was in no doubt that free parking would definitely be advantageous for customers.

โ€œCustomers find it frustrating that they canโ€™t find parking outside the shop, They have to drive off looking for somewhere to park and we lose business because of it. A free parking facility outside the shop on a Saturday would definitely helpโ€.

Roches Street traders have all come together to do their bit in attracting customers. Sheila Cusack of Helene Modes,โ€™ explained; โ€œThrough the Traders Association, we have banded together to hold a wedding fair involving a number of events. We will also be taking part in a walk to raise money for the Red Cross. I think itโ€™s great that we are all pulling together to bring business to the cityโ€.

However, she says itโ€™s expensive to park in the city, when you do eventually find parking.

โ€œI think the Council should definitely introduce free parking on Saturdays. In Newcastlewest, the first hour is free, and I feel even that would make a huge difference to people if it were implemented in the cityโ€.

In Bentleys cafe on Oโ€™Connell street manager, Dave Mullowney, was another advocate of free parking.

โ€œI think parking should be free all the time in the city, as it is in the shopping centres. People are being driven away from the city due to the sky high parking fees; you would have to pay 18 euro for a full day in some of the parking lotsโ€.

Mr. Mullowney did agree that the pedestrianisation was an incentive for customers.. โ€œItโ€™s definitely a great bonus for the city and makes it safer for everyone,โ€ he said. โ€œPatrick Street should also be pedestrianised, and some events or social activities would also bring in the puntersโ€.

In general, businesses found that things were on a par with February 2008, with all coping well in the current climate.