A poor trade-off for Cork
MY confirmations shoes were an abomination, a smart oxblood-red shoe forced into hideous union with 1.5 inches of stacked plastic sole. They were ‘platforms’. More stylish were the wedding shoes I bought six years ago: brogues, black, handmade and timeless. Both pairs were bought in O’Connor’s shoe store, a fixture on Cork’s Oliver Plunkett St for 60 years. A few weeks ago, O’Connor’s closed.
As our main streets surrender to the relentless march of the international multiples, they become indistinguishable from any UK high street. We are losing something we will never regain. The UK recognises urban homogenisation: the loss of individuality when chainstores drive out small local retail traders is contributing to urban decay. Last year, the UK appointed a ‘high street czar’, Mary Portas. In Ireland, we have yet to recog nise there is a problem.
