Business closures in Cork town fuels calls for a rejuvenation plan

COUNTY Hall is being urged to set up a working group to rejuvenate Carrigaline town centre following a number of business closures.

Councillor Liam O’Connor is asking local authority chiefs to establish a regeneration and development working group for Carrigaline town centre.

The Fine Gael Councillor said the town centre needs an overhaul and the businesses and council need direction and advice on how to achieve an economic rejuvenation.

“There are a number of vacant properties on the main street and a number of businesses have closed down in recent times," he said.

Mr O’Connor said parking remains a big problem.

“I live outside of Carrigaline and I know that if I was to drive in I would not get parking on the main street. There are very few places to park and that affects the potential for business.

“There is poor footfall in the area.” 

He wants to look at ways of attracting a wide variety of businesses to the town, in order to enhance the variety of shops in the area.

“At the moment we have three bookmakers and a number of takeaways. We have two Chinese restaurants, an Indian and an Italian restaurant, but no general restaurant. I think this could be an opportunity for some business to offer that.” 

Mr O’Connor, who is also the chair of the local Tidy Town’s committee, said he often bumps into tourists when cleaning up who are looking to sit down somewhere for a meal.

“I think this is something that could be looked at.” 

The Tidy Towns chair said the working group would be similar to the committee being set up Macroom to help enhance business in the area ahead of the bypass being built.

The proposal will be discussed on Monday at County Hall during the Carrigaline Municipal District meeting.