Lord Mayor urges retailers not to open Stephen’s Day

THE Lord Mayor of Cork has urged large city retailers to abandon their plans to open on St Stephen’s Day.

“We need to get the balance right between people shopping locally and enjoying the spirit of Christmas,” Cllr Dara Murphy said.

His call came last night ahead of a meeting this morning between the city’s business leaders, Bus Éireann and gardaí to discuss parking arrangements on December 26.

Several large retailers like Brown Thomas, and some large British-owned stores like Marks and Spencer, are poised to break with the city’s tradition and open on St Stephen’s Day.

The chief executive of the Cork Business Association (CBA), Donal Healy, said as far as he is aware, most of the publicly-owned multi storey car parks and the Black Ash park and ride facility will not be open on the day.

“These stores could attract a couple of thousand people into the city on the day,” Mr Healy said.

“I am concerned that we could have major parking issues if our normal parking arrangements are not in place.”

He has asked all retailers intending to open the day after Christmas Day to contact the CBA so that he has a clearer indication of how many will be open. He is due to meet officials from City Hall, gardaí and Bus Éireann today to discuss the parking concerns.

He pointed out it has been a difficult trading year given the economic downturn and that Cork traders were further hit by the disruption caused by the flooding.

“I’m not going to criticise anyone that decides to open on St Stephen’s Day. It’s an individual choice, and it’s the same for those who may chose to shop,” Mr Healy said.

“My duty is to encourage businesses in the city, and to protect jobs in any way that I can.

“I also have a responsibility to ensure if motorists come in to the city to shop on St Stephen’s Day, they have somewhere to park.”

But the CBA is facing a battle to persuade the city to open its car parks.

The Lord Mayor said he will not be supporting such a move.

“I get the sense that most people don’t want shops to open on St Stephen’s Day,” Mr Murphy said.

“Sure, people should enjoy the tradition of shopping, but there is a time and place for shopping, and there is a time and place for enjoying Christmas with your family. People should remember that the sales will start on December 27.”