A NUMBER of traders in Cork city are complaining of a serious blow to business since the city council made the decision to ban traffic on its main street.
Since Tuesday 27th March, a three-and-a-half hour daily ban on cars having access to the popular St Patrick’s Street has been crippling local traders in the area.
Some business owners are threatening to withhold commercial rates as their afternoon trade has been decimated by the new closure and in some cases, jobs are at risk.
St Patrick’s St #Cork. 4.30pm. 2 weeks into the car ban, traders say afternoon trade has been decimated & jobs are at risk. Council CE says such negative talk risks damaging the city’s image. Officials insist there are no plans to scrap the ban. More in tomorrow’s @irishexaminer pic.twitter.com/xA2xJEsmT5
— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) April 10, 2018
Frank Lee, manager of Tung Sing Chinese restaurant on St Patricks Street, told Eoin English of the Irish Examiner of the major drop in customers since the ban came into effect.
“We’re not thriving. We are surviving. People are saying just give this time but they’re not the business owner seeing their turnover fall and fall and fall,” he said.
“The city will become a ghost town. City Hall seems not to be listening.
“If they don’t listen to people who are paying the rates, they then can wait for the payment. My priorities will be paying my staff, my suppliers, my insurance, those things first.”
The #sound of #silence #patrick #street #cork at 17.25 no #traffic where have the people gone? @corkcitycouncil #iestaff via @lensdan pic.twitter.com/sUlRLwGlDM
— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) April 11, 2018
Callers to the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork’s Red FM this week believe the ban is at risk of killing the city.
PATRICK STREET LIKE A GHOST TOWN
These photos were taken today between 3.15PM - 4.15PM. One commentator has said it was busier during Storm Emma than today. 1850 104 106/ [email protected]
(Photos credit: Paul O Connor Shoes) pic.twitter.com/Ox4GBla9Oa— Neil Prendeville (@NeilRedFM) April 10, 2018
Overheard a customer saying "we'd better get out of town before 3"
This was Merchant's Quay at 14.48
The council has effectively closed the city after lunch. pic.twitter.com/07xCTQjwoO— Richard Jacob (@IdahoNua) April 10, 2018
CORK CITY IS LIKE A WASTELAND - Eddie Mullins for Fitzgerald's menswear says they only had 2 customers yesterday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/yVtikWnvK7
— Neil Prendeville (@NeilRedFM) April 11, 2018
'I'M AT MY WHITS END .. MY TILL IS EMPTY' - James Matthews from Matthews on Half Moon Street experienced one of the quietest days of trading in years yesterday. Is the city dying a death? #NPRedFM 1850 104 106/ [email protected] pic.twitter.com/Q4zrz9IBW3
— Neil Prendeville (@NeilRedFM) April 11, 2018
Chief executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, admitted that the new traffic rules have caused problems but insisted that it be given more time to work.
The council is focusing on the approach of preparing incentives to drive people back into the city centre, including free parking deals in city-managed car parks.
A meeting between city officials and representatives of the Cork Business Association yesterday revealed a 40% decline in footfall and a 60% slump in turnover.
Ms Doherty told the Irish Examiner that she has listened to trader’s concerns and wants to work and engage with them.
“There is no doubt we have challenges. But it is early days and this new traffic management system needs time to bed in,” she said.
“But I have pledged to put in measures to incentivise and encourage people into the city, which will assist traders through this period."
Meanwhile, traders in the city are taking to social media today to remind the public that the city is operating as normal despite the closure of St Patrick’s Street.
Remember ..
Cork City is open for business as usual, all car parks, the Park & Ride, and every shop, café and office.
Open as normal, all day long. pic.twitter.com/zaDDeDp6vV— Richard Jacob (@IdahoNua) April 12, 2018
