Grocers warn against change to guidelines

RGDATA, the organisation representing the independent retail grocery sector in Ireland, yesterday urged Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dick Roche TD, not to allow one vested interest to steamroll a change to the Retail Planning Guidelines.

Commenting on the review underway to facilitate the arrival of IKEA in Ireland, RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley warned that creating a chink that will allow the development of superstores in Ireland will have a devastating impact on local communities, local employment, the environment, traffic and retail development.

Tara Buckley commented that IKEA would not be competing with RGDATA members as it operated in a different sector. However, any changes to the guidelines which fundamentally weakened the planning regime for retail developments was of the utmost concern to independent retailers.

“The arrival of a flatpack furniture warehouse the size of six Croke Parks may be a welcome development for certain consumers. However, engaging in a process of review that seems to have the clear objective and intent of changing the guidelines in a manner that will facilitate IKEA ‘come what may’ carries huge risks for retail planning and development in Ireland,” she said.