LIMERICK shoppers have turned out in force to support their city this festive season, with traders reporting business as “very good”. Mags Bartley of the Texas Steakout, in O’Connell Street, said there are “definitely more feet on the street. “We feel they have made a conscious decision to come out and support the city and that is the feedback we’re getting.
“There’s a wide spectrum of people coming in as well.
I think the free parking has made a big difference and the signs as you come into the city make it look much more like the real place it is”.
Mags is hoping that the trend will continue into the new year.
“We want people to go home saying that they enjoyed their experience and that they will be back. They are coming from as far away as Cork and KIlkenny, which is certainly a good sign”.
John Hannon of Perla Cassa on the Ennis Road, says that business in renovations, re-tiling and plumbing bathrooms is better than last year.
“It’s definitely up and people are certainly spending a bit,” he told the Limerick Post.
Mike O’Connell of O’Connel’s Menswear in Catherine Street, is “very happy” with the trade this year.
“We’re seeing a lot of new people coming into the city. The feedback we get is that they are supporting Limerick. One woman said today that she loves to support the city,” he told the Limerick Post.
Mike agrees that the free parking initiative is a good one, but would like to see it extended to encourage people to come in on Saturday.
“People come in for the market – that’s huge for Limerick. They will filter down town if they have the parking, even two hours of free parking would be fantastic”.
