Limerick Businesses Opening

M&S prices were horrific before Brexit, God knows what they're like now. But yeah like people have said I dont think you'll be buying steaks and veg in there, it will be a copy of the little sandwich and drinks place in Heuston.

A larger Boots chemist has opened at the Crescent.

https://m.independent.ie/regionals/limerick/news/boots-opens-new-limerick-store-while-celebrating-20-years-at-citys-shopping-centre/a407157229.html

Good to see Cruises Street being somewhat resurrected... Are they keeping the outlets on William Street and over in Grove Island as well?

Cruises street, and most of the city trade has been dying lately... Better to have a charity shop than a boared up shopfront

In Limerick the universities, cinemas, shopping centers, sports stadiums, theatres, music venues are all located outside the city center, which sucks the energy out of the city.

I'd persuade Dolan's to move to Cruises Street (this might be difficult but it would be a much better location for it so it's mutually beneficial) or else open another music venue there. Also an indie/art cinema and theatre/performance space with cafe. (Maybe persuade the Belltable to move there).

That would bring pretty decent footfall 7 nights a week.

Also Limerick doesn't have a hostel so I'd open a cool tourist hostel there with something unique and marketable about it (dare I say Instagramable/TikTokable). Maybe an "Angelas Ashes" room, a Cranberries room, a Richard Harris room etc. Anything is possible. (Aphex Twin, Wogan, Rugby, Hurling).

Loads of tourists pass through or near Limerick and this could attract them to stay a night or two.

Then maybe offer cheap rent to independent shops, cafes, designers, restaurants in the vacant shops.

I'd completely change the paving and shop fronts to give it that old timey Irish look with cobblestones and gas lamps and traditional shop fronts (similar to Temple Bar and Galway and Westport etc). It would be fake but good for atmosphere. They do this in German cities all the time in the "alt stadt".

A Delores Riordan statue.

Apartments above the shops is a good idea but can be very difficult to do with regulations.

Covering the street also is a good idea, maybe have it half covered. Maybe a playground could be put somewhere. There's none in the city and it would be a handy spot for parents to sit down for a coffee when out shopping and let the kids run off some energy.

Maybe a coworking/hacker space with "hot desks" for start ups. Cheap spaces for artists/designers etc.

Maybe a late night cafe eg 11/12 pm for people who don't like pubs with board games/game nights/chess meets etc. There was a 24 hour Starbucks in Dublin which was full of Muslims at nighttime.

All of these ideas are achievable and not particularly expensive. It just requires vision and energy. Our government and councils have loads of money.

All of the above could be done in less than 5 years and by the end you'd have a have a cool, cultural, tourist friendly street with footfall at all hours. A "virtuous cycle" would be in motion then attracting more businesses and people.

Absolutely. It's even more acute when you consider that Enable Ireland have moved into the former Gerrard unit between Penney's and the former Debenhams. Now hopefully this is just a short term arrangement in the lead up to Christmas but if it's not then it raises a whole host of questions about the health of Limerick city centre.

I mean you can't get much more of a prime pitch than that location. It's sandwiched between two of the largest retail units in town and essentially across the street from Brown Thomas. If they can't attract a higher profile/quality tenant than that then we're in dire straits. Although come to think of it when was the last time a significant national nevermind international retailer was attracted to open in the city centre?!

In Limerick the universities, cinemas, shopping centers, sports stadiums, theatres, music venues are all located outside the city center, which sucks the energy out of the city.

Nail hit on the head. The drain has been happening for years

I think if we made the city more car friendly these businesses would flock to cruises street and other streets. People like the idea of being able to drive to their destinations to do their shopping or catch a movie, hence the success of the shopping centres located outside the city

Spot on. And with reference to your last sentence, it's utterly dispiriting everytime there is a notification on this thread about a new business opening only fot that business to turn out to be a charity shop/vape shop/phone shop.

I'd love if someone (council or chamber) undertook a detailed analysis of where Limerick people spend their money. The county has the highest level of disposable income outside of Dublin but you don't see that reflected in the quality of shops, restaurants, or hotels in the city.

Is the cash being spent online or are people travelling to Cork, Kildare, or Dublin to do their shopping and socializing?

If you could persuade Dolan's to move there, it would be a game changer.

It's a much better location for them although I know they're obviously going to have an emotional attachment to their current location.

Then indie cinema, hostel, late night cafe, playground, improve the public realm.

Those are pretty solid ideas and not really expensive.

It's already near the main shopping and going out area, so it shouldn't be too difficult to draw people.

lads....were not taking up the **** paving again ok.

Is there not enough scope for that ready with Opera quarter, Cleeves, The old Dunnes, Sarsfield house etc., Colbert station area etc.

Part of the problem is the sheer number of locations that need to be rejuvenated.

They moved the courts to Mulgrave street but still use the old building for family courts which is a waste of a prime waterfront building.

Why the jaysis would Dolan's move? People specifically go to their end of the city for them. If they were in the centre, they'd just be one of the pack.

When people go to places like cinema or music gigs, they go for food and drinks before or after, so it benefits everyone.

Dolan's is great but it's a bit of a hike.

Cruises street is closer to UL, the Art College, LIT, the Opera site etc.