Limerick launches fashion quarter

Limerick — whose clothing design students have won international acclaim — has launched Ireland’s first fashion quarter.

The Limerick Fashion Quarter centres on Roches St and Catherine St where many independent stores and boutiques are located.

Grainne Vaughan, spokesperson for the new venture, said: “We want to specifically promote Limerick’s independently owned fashion and fashion-orientated outlets instead of just the high street chains.

“With the economic downturn, trading has been particularly difficult over the last few years. However, in the core of Limerick city centre we have a wealth of wonderful boutiques and quirky accessories and shoe stores, which have battled through and survived the recession by adapting their business model to cope with the challenges,” she said.

“Retailers in the Fashion Quarter recognised that we were located in a unique shopping area... ! So as traders we all decided to work together and we have innovative and long-term plans to truly establish this area as the heart of Limerick’s fashion trade.”

Limerick City Council has backed the project with colourful street displays and the shops are putting up signage to brand the Fashion Quarter.

Chairperson of the Roches St traders, Fionagh Ryan, said sales had suffered in recent years but since the signs announcing the Fashion Quarter have been erected, retailers have seen an increase in footfall.

She said: “We have had very positive feedback from customers but we’re going to do more than just put up signs. We are working with local hotels on promotions encouraging visitors to shop in the Fashion Quarter and we’re also developing a loyalty card with discounts and special offers for our stores.

“We are working on a website and a Fashion Quarter phone app so our brand will be sustainable over time. Landlords operating in our area have also received interest in renting their vacant premises to shop owners because business people have heard about our brand and want to base themselves within it. So while trading is challenging, we’re confident we’re doing the very best we can to promote ourselves.”

* For more on the Fashion Quarter visit Catherine St and Roches St Fashion Quarter on Facebook.