Ideas for the mainstreet in Swords?

Dredd_J

The place is falling apart. Politicians were around last months and had suggestions that it be

covered over and made into a market?

Turned into a village arcade.

Made into something like a Chinatown in London?

Any ideas? Its going to end up like Bray mains street very soon if something is not done with it.

bcmf

How about FCC have a good look at their rates and rent and try and put in some encouragement for traders/business minded people to do something.

pinkypinky

Noticed an open letter to FCC in the window of the Cock Tavern from the owners on this very subject.

ETA: oh it's not the owners but here's the text.
http://swordstoday.ie/heart-gone-town/

Kumsheen

Dredd_J wrote: »

The place is falling apart. Politicians were around last months and had suggestions that it be

covered over and made into a market?

Turned into a village arcade.

Made into something like a Chinatown in London?

Any ideas? Its going to end up like Bray mains street very soon if something is not done with it.

I don't think lack of idea's is the problem. If you provide a better incentive for certain types of business you are trying to attract, then the market is there. ie reduced rates. Rent is the other problem but that is not under the control of FCC.
But i don't know if legally you can offer lower rates for a bakery for example, over rates for a bookies.

wow sierra

Unfortunately people don't like High Street shopping anymore - they like Shopping centres. It's an issue in all towns really. We all bemoan the death of the highsteet but we are voting with our feet and going to the Shopping Centres.
Parking is a big issue but its hard to get agreement on that either - if it was free people would just park there all day and there would still be no parking available for shoppers.

It would be good if the end near the Castle could become a sort of Tourist area based around the castle but I am not sure what form it should take.

T-Maxx

The Broadmeadow is a great feature that could be very nicely developed.

The Muppet

While its true that people do most of their shopping in Shopping center there are still many small business that would not be interested or would never survive with the costs involved in setting up in a shopping center, service charge rates and rents etc.

With a little willpower from the powers that be to cut these costs in town centers you could create a very interesting out of the norm shopping experience with niche products which would breathe life back into our town centers.

Dredd_J

I think the whole main street could be made into something like Kildare Village outlet.