Roadworks cause trade to fall 50%, say stores decline

TRADERS on one of Limerick city’s oldest shopping thoroughfares are reporting losses of up to 50% as multi- million euro road improvements continue in the city.

Limerick City Council has confirmed the final stage of works on William Street will not be completed until early next year.

Concerned business owners fear shops will be forced to close on the street because of the disruptions caused by the road works which have resulted in a major decline in footfall.

Jeweller Edelle O’Brien, whose mother Eleanor runs Irwin’s Jewellers in William’s Court Mall, described the situation as a “nightmare”.

“My mother would have worked through the last recession and survived not a bother but she is definitely finding this one very hard. She has staff down to two or three days a week and it’s just a nightmare,” Ms O’Brien said.

“A lot of people are worried about Cruises Street and the big English retail outlets leaving the city but when you see the family businesses close, especially on William Street which was the shopping hub, it’s frightening, it really is,” she added.

The continuing works on William Street form part of the Limerick City Centre Remodelling of Streets and Public Open Spaces Project.

The work was due to be completed by March 2012 but, according to David Keane, acting director of services in transportation and infrastructure at Limerick City Council, the project is ahead of schedule and it is hoped works will be completed by February next.

The work is being carried out in stages but the final phase will not be completed before the end of the year, he emphasised.

“It isn’t envisaged that we will be out of William Street until the New Year. Whether there will be some relaxation of that made over the Christmas period or not will be discussed,” he said.

He insisted that a consultation process take place every four weeks with all of the traders where they advised in advanced on what’s happening.

“There is consultation with the traders four weeks in advance of every stage of the works,” Mr Keane said.

After 45 years working in her family-owned restaurant the Golden Grill, Diana Nardone says it’s been a very difficult few months for her business.

“You have no idea what it is to come in and open your premises day after day after day and watch your business dying in front of you. There is nothing anyone will do to help,” Ms Nardonne said.

Meanwhile, one of Limerick’s oldest boutiques, Eve’s Ladies Fashion and Leather Store on Roches Street has announced it is to close after 72 years in the city.

Proprietor Michael Murphy blames parking and increasing commercial rates for the decline in footfall in the city centre.

Eve’s is one of a number of well-known family businesses in Limerick city centre that has closed its doors in recent months.

It follows the loss of Clancy’s Electrical on O’Connell Street and Irwin Brothers Jewellers on Patrick Street.