Limerick businesses back mayor's superblocks plan despite trader opposition

Hospitality businesses and city residents say the August programme could boost footfall despite protests over temporary road closures

Several business owners in Limerick have now rallied around the mayor’s plan to create pedestrian-priority ‘superblocks’ in August, after more than 100 retailers voiced opposition to it.

More than 100 retailers asked John Moran to “not proceed”, with the Limerick City Centre Traders Association protesting in the city against road closures planned to facilitate several summer activities.

Kicking off this bank holiday weekend, the activities include an obstacle course racing championship, the TAFISA European Sports for All Games, the All-Ireland Skateboarding Championship, a long-table dinner at The Crescent, as well as an urban beach on Steamboat Quay — which officially opened on Friday.

The owner of No 1 Pery Square, Patricia Roberts, said she is in favour of the August activation programme — despite the road closures in the area.

“August is a time when traditionally a lot of people leave the city,” Ms Roberts told the Irish Examiner.

“Because our city is around the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way, we’re very close to the coast as well. I think we need to give people reasons to stay. 

“The city is very walkable as we know. It has a lot of green spaces, naturally has a lot of areas that can be brought to life.”

2024 August Animation pilot 

In 2024, the August Animations initiative was introduced as a pilot to see Limerick streets “come alive”.

Last year, Mr Moran faced a backlash after announcing plans to close the Crescent area at the top of O’Connell Street to facilitate summer activities.

Ms Roberts said: “I think August 2024, when it was trialled, was good, but it needed more activity. More activity brings more people naturally into the city. 

“I understand to a level the concern of some traders, but I think we need to look a step beyond that because if we’re to measure from where we’re at now, we’ll never grow. There’s a risk in everything we do.”

Thomas Fialon owns The French Table restaurant on Steamboat Quay, close to the urban beach.

He said: “Business is down during the summer anyway, so I’m in favour of the summer activities. I really hope for more footfall. 

"We are actually creating a barbecue event all weekend in conjunction with the opening of the beach. To me, it’s all positive. We’re getting flowers; it has been cleaned down. We have never been looked after that way.”

Letter from 'concerned residents'

Meanwhile, a group of “concerned residents” in the city have penned a letter addressed to the Limerick City Traders Association and politicians regarding the activities, asking for their voices to be heard.

“While considerable attention has been given to the concerns of traders and politicians, comparatively little space has been afforded to the residents who live in the city centre and experience its challenges and opportunities every day,” the letter stated.

They added that, for years, business owners and residents alike have decried the need for changes to ensure Limerick city “does not fall into a state of terminal decline”.

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“Some commentary has created the impression that the city centre will become inaccessible during August,” the letter stated. “In reality, the proposals involve temporary road closures, diversions and managed access arrangements rather than a wholesale closure of the city centre.”

"This consistently negative and oppositional messaging will do more to discourage people from visiting and experiencing the positivity of the city centre than any of the mayor’s proposals."