More than 100 Limerick retailers oppose mayor's plans to close city centre streets

The Limerick City Centre Traders Association has voiced its concerns regarding road closures planned to facilitate a number of activities throughout August

Limerick retailers protest against mayor John Moran's plans to reduce traffic.

More than 100 retailers have asked the mayor of Limerick to “not proceed” with several road closures in the city centre, which will impact their businesses.

The 112 retailers, part of the Limerick City Centre Traders Association, have signed a letter to voice concerns about road closures planned by mayor John Moran to facilitate a number of activities throughout August. 

On Tuesday, dozens of traders staged a protest, with a simple message for Mr Moran: “Don’t close our city”.

A letter by chairperson Caroline Long, and signed by traders, said August represented a busy period for many retailers, and was effectively like “Christmas trade” for some, as back-to-school season looms. 

The Irish Examiner has seen the letter signed by 112 traders. 

They suggested locations such as Pery Square, Bedford Row, and Arthur’s Quay were more appropriate for the activities planned by the mayor. 

Mr Moran introduced plans for summer activities, with “low-impact traffic measures” being introduced to prioritise local access while reducing through-traffic.

The activities include an obstacle course racing championships, the TAFISA European Sports for All Games, the All Ireland Skateboarding Championship, an urban beach, as well as a long-table dinner at The Crescent.

Councillors Catherine Slattery, Kieran O’Hanlon, and Joe Pond have requested a special meeting to discuss the upcoming traffic restrictions, which had been due to take place on Friday. 

The Irish Examiner has learned the meeting has been postponed, as councillors are seeking external legal advice.

Shane Gleeson, who owns several Spar shops in the city centre, said the “big issue” traders had was the closure of The Crescent — an area where Mr Moran owns a property, which Mr Gleeson said was a “conflict of interest”.

“It’s the main thoroughfare into our main street, and he wants to block it completely for the whole month of August. 

"This has happened previously, in 2024, where it cost us all savage trade,” Mr Gleeson said. 

He claims he lost 20% of his business in August 2024. 

It cost me an awful lot of money. Common sense was listened to, and it didn't go ahead last year. But he's trying to force it through again this year.

Mr Moran said traders also needed to listen to his perspective. 

“People who own businesses in Limerick are entitled to have their opinions heard. In the same way as I would like to recognise and hear their opinions, they need to recognise that the mayor has to balance a lot of different opinions, many of whom are traders and residents who are very supportive of what we're doing,” Mr Moran said.

He said it would be “very helpful” to see the “150 letters” signed by the traders, as he has not yet been provided with their names. 

“Everybody else is writing directly in and disclosing who they are. There’s an obvious value in the transparency, being able to pull together all the views of everybody in reaching the right conclusion."

Mr Moran maintained that even though The Crescent’s inbound lane would be closed for the month of August, people could drive through surrounding streets instead, such as Henry Street, Lord Edward Street, or Hyde Road.

Catherine Slattery, previous Príomh Chomhairleoir, said the street traders were “the people on the ground” who were trying to “make an income”.

“This is street closures for the full month of August. If it were a Sunday or something, fine. Limerick isn't booming as it is. The mayor is saying he wants a vibrant city bustling with activity. That’s what we all want, but yet he's closing off streets, preventing traffic coming into the city, and access those shops,” Ms Slattery said.

“He’s closing off our main thoroughfare in Limerick, O'Connell Avenue is right off O'Connell Street, our main street in Limerick, and he expects people to go, miles out of their way to get into the city. That is crazy,” she added.

While Ms Slattery said the traders asked to meet the mayor and were declined a meeting, Mr Moran said he would have been happy to meet them if they disclosed their identity.