'Retail is decimated': Cork city traders voice concern over impact of roadworks on business 

CITY traders have voiced concern over the continued impacts of roadworks on MacCurtain St on their businesses as Cork City Council confirmed the works will not be finished until mid-December.

Works have been taking place on the street as part of the MacCurtain St Public Transport Improvement Scheme.

The wider project aims to improve the public realm and traffic arrangements on MacCurtain St and adjoining streets to make the area more accommodating for shoppers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

A spokesperson for the VQ, a community of businesses in the Victorian Quarter district, said that the works, while challenging, will be transformative when completed.

However, some retailers are worried about the current impacts.

Impact of works 

Michael Wall, who owns Salvagem, an antique store offering fine furniture, art, sculpture, antiques and collectibles, said that he is struggling to stay in business.

“The losses are quite obvious, looking at last year considering to this year from June onwards, I am 97% down as of the start of October — I had five sales last week.”

Mr Wall added: “I’m self-employed, I’m trying to keep my business going, but I’m just covering the costs if I’m being honest here.

“It’s lovely to stay positive, to keep looking forward to the big picture, but I can’t turn around and say: ‘I can’t pay any bills but in three months’ time it’ll be fantastic, we’ll be a world-class street’.”

The Salvagem owner said retailers want to know if they will be compensated for the interruption to business.

“We’re here from 8am to 8pm, and we need to know is there going to be a break in rates, are we going to get supports from the council, will they be offering compensation”

Sean Gargano from MacCurtain Wine Cellar said his retail business has also been impacted, however, he said that the hospitality side of his business is faring better.

“We’re very lucky, we have a two-part model,” he said, explaining that his business is split between retail and hospitality, selling bottles of wine during the day then functioning as a wine bar by night.

“Retail is decimated. Day trade has been gone for months — it’s heartbreaking, retail is a huge part of the rates and also the community, you can’t just survive on bars and restaurants.

“The ugly part of retail... is people need to pull up and put stuff in cars.

“Wine is heavy, and Michael sells antiques, you’re not going to take a couch on the back of your bike,” Mr Gargano added.

“We sell green wine, so we’re all about the environment, but deliveries need to come in and customers need to come out.

“The day trade has just been destroyed — I’d have been fine with a 10% drop, but we’re talking a 90% drop.”

'Transformative'

Director of operations of the VQ Shane Clarke said that while the works are challenging, they will be transformative when completed.

“We, the VQ, have been champions for this scheme,” he said.

“It’s a long time coming and it’s going to be utterly transformative.

“We’ve been supportive of the work, but for the businesses blocked it is difficult, there’s no getting away from that.

“It is challenging, but on the flip side we can see a prize in sight, we can already see the transformation happening.”

Completion nears 

He said that their latest update from the council is that most of the works down as far as Salvagem will be clear by the weekend of the Cork Guinness Jazz Festival, in just over three weeks’ time.

The proposed two-way traffic is set to commence from late November, with Mr Clarke saying they are “expecting double the traffic and double the footfall”.

He said that traders are looking forward to annual jazz festivalgoers who may not come to Cork at any other time of year seeing the change and saying: “Oh my God!”

“We are really excited, and they commend the council for their communications on the matter, it’s been difficult for businesses, but in the sunshine of spring it will be worth it,” he said.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council told The Echo: “Construction is due to be completed by mid-December, barring any unforeseen delays.”