Council not stalling on the retention of market character
City manager Joe Gavin confirmed last night that market traders will have to lodge a request in writing, and get approval from city officials, before getting clearance to alter or improve their stalls.
And officials will be keeping a close watch on what is planned to ensure the form and pattern of the market concept is maintained, Mr Gavin said.
But Iago cheese stall owner, Sean Calder Potts, said the city needs to do more in terms of “policing” the market.
“They don’t have any procedure for instructing those who have made changes to their stalls to take them down,” he said.
“If you ignore the letters, they don’t seem to have the guts to take you on.”
Traders, meanwhile, welcomed the appointment of a new management company to run the city centre tourist attraction on the city’s behalf.
Irish Estates is planning to base a manager in an office in the market to deliver a more hands-on style of management.
One of the country’s leading property management companies, it ran the market until Mall Management took over nine years ago.
Traders expressed concerns in recent years that alterations to some stalls were not in keeping with the style and character of the market.
Mr Gavin said the council is committed to preserving the English Market in its current layout.
“The new management company has been instructed to put a procedure in place whereby any proposed alterations to any stall shall be initially requested in writing and shall require the prior approval of the city council before any works can commence on site,” he said.
Stalls selling fabrics and other non-food items are not consistent with the market character, he said.
If they decide not to renew their leases, the city would seek to replace them with stalls selling food, fish, meat and fowl, he added.
The English Market is owned by the council and managed by Irish Estates.
In 2006, when rent rates were last agreed, traders agreed to pay from €14.80 per square foot. Rent negotiations are due to take place again in 2009.
Rent and service charges run to about €300 a week.
Footfall through the market is estimated at up to 100,000 per week, given its linkages to the Grand Parade and Oliver Plunkett Street. One of the market’s best pitches, The Organic Garden, was put up for sale last year for €200,000.
