Shopping in Dublin -what's your experience?

DCC Planning Secretariat

Retail activity is fundamental to the success of any city. It stimulates spending, connects streets and plazas and provides a focus for urban communities. In a compact area, retail / shopping areas create a rich, diverse urban experience.

The Draft Development Plan contains a wide range of policies aimed at strengthening Dublin as a national retail destination. These include:

- Creating mixed-use, lively and vibrant neighbourhoods throughout the city
- Providing locally accessible shopping
- Maintaining the city centre as the country’s main retail centre for comparison goods
- Promoting and protecting specialist shops within the inner city
- Encouraging quality convenience shopping with strong choice and competition
- Developing and expanding Key District Centres

Chapter 10 of the Draft Development Plan is called ‘Strengthening the City as a National Retail Destination.' It outlines these and many other proposed actions the city will take over the next six years. You can read a short summary of the chapter or download the original here. And you can view an interactive map that illustrates the proposed Key District Centres here.

What do you think of the ideas suggested? What else would you like to see in Dublin to strengthen its shopping experience?

Have your say on these boards or make a written submission directly to Dublin City Council using the online submission form here.

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Dublin City Council's 'Draft Development Plan, 2011-2017' is currently open for public consultation. The plan explains City Council strategy on everything from allotments and accommodation for artists to new economic corridors, new neighbourhoods, green spaces and low rise buildings.

We’re encouraging Dubliners to look at the Draft Plan, discuss any issues on these boards and make a comment directly to Dublin City Council via the online submission form.

You can find out more at www.dublincitydevelopmentplan.ie, where there are videos, text summaries and an interactive map of Dublin in 2017. All feedback will be reviewed before the plan is adopted by the City Council at the end of the year.

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cosmic

These DCC threads are getting well boring

WindSock

cosmic wrote: »

These DCC threads are getting well boring

Den don't open dem! :pac:


Lower the council tax & rates etc to encourage more businesses to re-open is all I have to say about that.

_blank_

cosmic wrote: »

These DCC threads are getting well boring

What?

It's fantastic that the City Council are embracing Boards.ie to get their message out to a wider audience.

This is OUR city, and those charged with running it are coming here to get OUR opinions.

It's a pity they can't interact, but that's red tape, but at least they are doing their best to be as inclusive as possible.

Christ, I'd rather read ten of these threads than one about someone who may or may not be deaf.

John_Rambo

Bigger levies for mobile phone chains and fast food chains. Lower taxes for home grown shops and independently owned restaurants and shops. No more malls, but maybe covered outdoor shopping squares with approved quality market style stalls.

Thanks for listening!!

filthymcnasty

shop/business owners should properly maintain the upper exterior levels aswel as the ground of their buildings , some of which look ok on the ground floor are a disgrace on the higher levels, old signs falling apart, broken windows etc.. looks like sh!t

Corruptedmorals

Grafton Street continues to decline while Henry Street goes from strength to strength. All the good shops are on Henry Street or in the Jervis. Several vacant shops on Grafton Street are reopening with terrible shops like ANOTHER jewellery shop and a bargain books store. Dying to see a good retailer take over Dunnes Grafton Street..Forever 21 are supposed to be looking for somewhere.. Whereas Arnotts Project is closing down and they're getting New Look and Tk Maxx!

knird evol

Replace footpaths on all roads between the canals with moving walkways.
Would improve the shopping Experience without the hassle of having to actually walk or expend energy. It could certainly be done on a pilot basis in case anyone has any doubts about it.

admiralofthefleet

John_Rambo wrote: »

Bigger levies for mobile phone chains and fast food chains. Lower taxes for home grown shops and independently owned restaurants and shops. No more malls, but maybe covered outdoor shopping squares with approved quality market style stalls.

Thanks for listening!!

this.

family owned businesses are going under because of very high rents while chains have the financial backing to keep afloat.
reopen the closed markets around the city and promote them as family orientated quality shopping areas

Ronan Keating

Overall the experience is absolutley fabulous, but the skanger population ruin it for a lot of people.

bonerjams03

No more shopping Centres. And I always think places like Fox's are brilliant, independent, specialist and interesting. Better than walking past another Vodafone shop... I don't know how that can be promoted other than by stopping
Mobile phone shops and the like. What I'm trying to say is these faceless shops don't add anything to the city like the smaller ones do, so allowing for more of these would be good.

Word that better and you've a valid point.

Oisin88

probably not worth posting anything here looking at the quality of some of the other posts, presume most of you are about 12.

However, I think it would be a good idea if the City Council looked at reorganising traffic flows in the whole area between the canals, so that people can get efficiently in and out of the carparks. Then get rid of most of the on street parking, widen the footpaths and make small streets, such as Exchequer St., Sth William Street etc., mixed use, i.e. 15km/h and people and cars sharing the same space and giving way to each other, like the old town areas in Vilnius (Lithuania) and Riga (Latvia)

Oisin88

IRcolm wrote: »

No more shopping Centres. And I always think places like Fox's are brilliant, independent, specialist and interesting. Better than walking past another Vodafone shop... I don't know how that can be promoted other than by stopping
Mobile phone shops and the like. What I'm trying to say is these faceless shops don't add anything to the city like the smaller ones do, so allowing for more of these would be good.

I have to agree. Even Cork has better small independent shops, right on the main street (the one with the wierd lamp posts)

Cianos

Rent relief should be given to struggling small businesses that are finding it hard to reach targets especially during these times. There are shops closing all over the country which is a big loss of jobs. If the difference between a business staying open and having to lose is the ability to pay the rent, there should be some aid given for the sake of those employed (and the state, avoiding having more people on the dole), and for the sake of the locality not having another empty building with it's shutters down.

I think shopping in Dublin is quite decent, but that only applies to the very middle of the city. There doesn't seem to be any emphasis put on supporting and encouraging localised businesses that could provide a broader range of services to their local communities. The only businesses that seem to be doing ok are Spars and Centras - turning every street in to the exact same.

As I said in the other thread, there should be better planning oriented around combining residential and commercial space, to give small businesses a chance to flourish and make the areas surrounding the city more interesting.

Dyr

Des wrote: »

What?

It's fantastic that the City Council are embracing Boards.ie to get their message out to a wider audience.

If we're going to discuss this here, then no, it's not fantastic. Given my previous experiences with DCC they are the judge jury and executioner on these issues and these public submissions will be token gestures and no more. You will get no substantive interaction from this poster because it suits them that red tape won't allow it. Also, the boards T&C's state for official reps:

"You will deal with any questions or issues on thread where appropriate. You will not try to evade answering reasonable queries." Which would suggest that this red tape carry on contradicts boards own T&C's

Presumably DCC have been granted permission by boards to hawk their new website here. Why not give them a talk to forum or let them use advertising like everyone else is expected to if they've nothing else to offer this forum.

df1985

grafton st is a sad state, the rents are simply too high and its not as exclusive as it likes to be made out to be. newsagents, mobile phone shops, tacky souvenir shops and fast food outlets litter the street. tommy hilfiger made a great job of there new store, more of that please! irish people like their labels, we go on mass to america to fill suitcases but yet we cant seem to attract them to open their own stores here. they have their concessions in brown thomas, arnotts etc and thats it.

bonerjams03

One other thing, could be really trivial... But I think there's room for more Irish flags on the upper levels of the shops. Maybe a small subsidy for flag poles that stick kinda outward over the streets. It's not essential to shopping, I know. But I think it would be nice.

WindSock

You want more Irish flags in shops? Why? Most are British and American owned too.

MissHoneyBun

Personally I love shopping centres and adore Dundrum (though the selection of eateries could be improved) I love the cleanliness, brightness, and spaciousness of it all and knowing once I go in there it's just me and the shops -no getting p1ssed on by manky Irish weather or threat of having an eye gouged from a reckless umbrella user.

Having said that, on a crisp sunny day I enjoy being in town and I think the variety of shops on Henry Street is incredibly good and far superior to Grafton St. I like Grafton St itself but certainly not for shopping and my purchases there only ever come from either M&S or BT, as everywhere else seems to be a phone shop :rolleyes:

On Henry Street I love Arnotts, Topshop (in Jervis) and Zara (for clothes) Marks and Spencer (for everything) and the enormous Penneys (for I-need-another-random-hairband/belt/40 pack of knickers like a hole in the head but it's so cheap it would be rude not to) though I do lament the lack of decent coffee shops around Henry St and also the odd bench to rest my weary shopping feet.

I also love walking past the street sellers, especially in the evening time as they're desperately trying to flog the last of the days stock -what comes out of their mouths never ceases to make me smile

I think the Council needs to capitalise on these unique selling points that the city offers and utilise them in a way that is distinctive without being tacky. Overall, a balance between the pull of the large multi-national retailers strengthened by smaller, individual businesses for uniquity is what's needed.

bonerjams03

WindSock wrote: »

You want more Irish flags in shops? Why? Most are British and American owned too.

On shops, from what I remember there were French flags on shops in France. It looked nice. Just an observation...

I don't really see what the ownership of the shops has to do with it, it's still an Irish street, in Ireland.

WindSock

IRcolm wrote: »

On shops, from what I remember there were French flags on shops in France. It looked nice. Just an observation...

I don't really see what the ownership of the shops has to do with it, it's still an Irish street, in Ireland.

It is, but do we need reminding of that with flags? I think it would look a bit tacky and unneccessarily nationalistic, and silly on a foreign shop.
I think there could be better things we could do to make our city uniquely Irish without having to throw flags about. But one on top of the GPO is fine by me

humberklog

French flags would look very smart. They'd also kinda make you think you were abroad.

+1 for the subsidising of flag poles!!

phasers

Is there any chance that buskers could be regulated?A lot of them are just dreadful and can ruin an atmosphere. Every year RTE could make a show called "The B Factor" and the public could vote on 10 acts who would get busking licenses!

(Ok the last bit maybe not so much but I am so sick of guys murdering "Wonderwall" for the millionth time!)

Another idea is to clamp down on chuggers, some can get downright aggressive.


These are all sort of general atmospheric things more than shopping specific...

Grafton street is a holy show lately tbh, no more phone shops! And does it really need 2 Burger Kings?

enda1

How to improve:

Major Idea: Turn the St. Stephen's green shopping centre into one massive market.

A food and drinks market which has a daytime appeal and evening appeal.
The site is particularly suitable because it stands on the location of one f Dublin's last real markets.

The idea would find comparison in the market of Boqueria market of Barcelona for example plus countless other markets in different cities (think Borough market in London), I just find this the best example.

The most important point is to ensure a high quality of stall with no sale of goods such as candles, mobile phones, junk junk junk - just food and drink.
With also encouragement to supply prepared food so you can pick up lunch there as you shop for your dinner.

Minor issues:
1. Ground floor space of all buildings needs to be made consumer space. First obvious case would be to tackle TCD to ensure they give back Pearse street frontage to the people of Dublin. They have for a long time destroyed this part of the city by boarding up the Georgian buildings they own which front here.

2. Clean-up the board-walks. This is a super initiative that DCC made, however these acts need to be followed up with close care and maintenance. These spaces are too often no go areas caused by unsociable behaviour of drug-addicts and the homeless.

3. Guinness will eventually move out of James' Gate. You need now to plan what to do with this space. It is essential that this part of Dublin develops into a proper quarter to take the strain off the transportation systems (Red line, buses) and make the area a viable place to live, work and shop.

Good luck!

DCC Planning Secretariat

Thanks to everyone who has replied to this thread so far. It appears that there are quite a number of similar concerns in relation to shopping and the whole retail experience in the city. Issues raised include the increasing loss of small-scale independent shops, the poor range of quality shops and the lack of diversity. These areas align closely with many of the issues new draft plan seeks to address, to create an attractive retail and leisure experience in the city centre.

As the authority we can’t engage in debate about the issues, but we can clarify points and ideas in the plan.

Below are some responses based on the comments made:

- The draft plan promotes a greater retail mix in the city centre - to ensure the availability of appropriate retail floor areas to accommodate larger stores and modern fashion outlets. The plan also promotes specialist or niche shops and actively encourages the clustering of these to create vibrant shopping quarters with a distinct character that are pleasant places to shop, walk or relax. Similarly, it emphasises the creation of new streets with active ground floor uses to create lively street scenes, instead of inward look shopping centres which can present a blank building edge to the street.

- Vacant shop units present a very real challenge in the current economic climate. The City Council has no control in relation to the rent levels, as these are determined by market conditions and the private commercial sector. However, the draft plan does acknowledge the negative impact of vacant units and facilitates temporary uses which add to the vitality and liveliness of the street, with particular support for creative and community uses.

- Street markets are another means to create a lively atmosphere in the city centre, whilst also catering to the day-day shopping needs of city residents with fresh produce such as flowers and farm foods. The plan promotes and facilitates indoor and outdoor markets – at present there are weekly outdoor markets at Smithfield and Coppinger Row – and there are also proposals to re-vitalise the City Markets.

- A number of the discussion points also raise the issue of a lack of good quality shopping for local communities. It is important that there are local shopping facilities to cater for the everyday shopping needs of residents and families, and local shops can also form the hub of a vibrant neighbourhood. The draft plan recognises this and promotes good quality convenience shopping in the inner city to attract residents and families, as well as in the new growth areas in the outer suburbs.

We welcome your views on shopping in the city and on how the plan can work towards improving the whole retail experience in the city centre and in neighbourhood areas. If you’d like to make a formal submission about any of the issues raised, you can do so using the submission form on the website.

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Dublin City Council's 'Draft Development Plan, 2011-2017' is currently open for public consultation. The plan explains City Council strategy on everything from allotments and accommodation for artists to new economic corridors, new neighbourhoods, green spaces and low rise buildings.

We’re encouraging Dubliners to look at the Draft Plan, discuss any issues on these boards and make a comment directly to Dublin City Council via the online submission form.

You can find out more at www.dublincitydevelopmentplan.ie, where there are videos, text summaries and an interactive map of Dublin in 2017. All feedback will be reviewed before the plan is adopted by the City Council at the end of the year.

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Dord

DCC Planning Secretariat wrote: »

- Street markets are another means to create a lively atmosphere in the city centre, whilst also catering to the day-day shopping needs of city residents with fresh produce such as flowers and farm foods. The plan promotes and facilitates indoor and outdoor markets – at present there are weekly outdoor markets at Smithfield and Coppinger Row – and there are also proposals to re-vitalise the City Markets.

The market in Smithfield is so poor I wouldn't consider it one. At present it's just a couple (literally) of the same food vans/stalls each week. There needs to be a greater number and diversity in the stalls there. Maybe doing so would attract more people to the area and give encourage more shops/businesses to open up in the vacant units in the Smithfield Market development.

EDIT: I sent through a suggestion on the site regarding this.

DCC Planning Secretariat

The closing date for receipt of submissions on the Draft Development Plan was last Friday, March 12th. We’d like to thank everyone who got involved in the discussion and especially those who posted replies or made submissions about the plan.

The next step is the preparation of a report on the submissions/observations received. This will be submitted to members of the City Council who will consider it until mid-August 2010. Any material amendments agreed to the Draft Plan will then be put on public display for four weeks. It is envisaged that this display will take place during September.

We’ll post notification of the dates closer to the time. In the meantime, keep an eye on www.dublincitydevelopmentplan.ie and www.dublincity.ie for updates on what’s happening.

Regards,
The Development Plan Team

CrazyRabbit

Place a cap on the rent that can be charged for retail units. It's getting so bad now that retailers have to let staff go or close down, purely because of excessive rent costs. If retailers have lower rents, they can employ more people or pass some savings onto customers or expand their businesses.