Traders warn against ‘risky’ plan for square

TRADERS in Dungarvan’s 200-year-old Grattan Square are warning that some of the proposals from consultants for a €3 million revamp of the town’s most historic central landmark represents a high-risk strategy that will impact negatively on business and will put many of the 300 jobs involved in jeopardy.

A five-member delegation of Grattan Square traders attended a meeting of the town council this week, and warned against the major reduction of car parking spaces from 110 to 29 proposed by the consultants.

Pat Whyte told the meeting that Grattan Square has always been consumer-friendly. There is an existing half-hour free parking concession which has been hugely beneficial to business. While the traders accept that the square is in need of a revamp, they are warning against what they consider to be the “high-risk strategy”.

“The viability of the square as a trading area should not be underestimated,” said Mr Whyte, who also warned against any major delays, adding that they had all seen how that had impacted on business in Galway’s Eyre Square.

“You only get one opportunity to take on a project as major as this,” added Mr Whyte, “so it is vitally important that you get it right.”

Another member of the delegation, Audrey Hallahan, said that if the commercial aspect of the square is removed, the reason for people to come there for business will have been removed.

The traders have emphasised their acceptance of the need to reduce the number of existing parking spaces, but insist that the number of spaces should not drop from 110 to anything less than 75. The virtual pedestrianisation of the square as proposed by the consultants will, they say, devastate trade and put 300 jobs at risk.

All of the councillors lauded the positive and constructive presentation from the traders, with Michael O’Riordan accepting that the consultants proposal to reduce the parking spaces from 110 to 29 is “over-ambitious”.

Brendan Mansfield described some of the consultants proposals as being “off the wall”, while mayor Damien Geoghegan pledged that there will be no rushing to judgment.

Town manager Denis McCarthy also praised the “very balanced’ presentation from the traders, and promised that the councillors and officials will meet again and then return to their consultants.