Town Talk

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REI speaks to the experts in the know about the vibrant rejuvenation plans for Limerick city etail Excellence Ireland recently went on a walk-through of Limerick city with Cecilia Larkin, Senior Executive O cer of Limerick City and County Council, and Matthew Brown, Retail Futurist at Echochamber to discuss the e orts planned for a revitalisation of retail in the city. Below, Cecilia and Matthew give insight on the ongoing plans and works to rejuvenate its retail centre.

“What struck me about Limerick retail is how photogenic so many of the streets and retailers are,” Matthew says when asked what caught his eye during the walk-through. “The centre of town combines a great mix of traditional and contemporary with shopfronts that are unique, charming, and very creative – whether they’ve been there one year or 100.”

Street art is used to maximum e ect, he says, to further entice customers to visit various stores as they wander the streets – with the street architecture getting a re-vamp also. “There’s a really nice focus on creative street art, which is used both in retail, and on the streetscapes. The street architecture is being modernised in a very positive way, even though I know businesses are impatient for lots of the roadworks to be nished!”

Limerick City and County Council are also very committed to driving regeneration of the city centre and supporting retail ventures both established and new, explains Cecilia, as a representative of the local council.

“We’ve partnered with city traders to nd innovative ways of increasing footfall and dwell time within the city centre, continuing to work on a schedule of street events, recreational areas and enhanced streetscapes to provide interest to shoppers and visitors to the city.”

“World-class urban regeneration is a complex co-operation between city, councils and planners, architects, and retailers themselves,” Matthew continues, adding there is much the city is getting right at this stage. “Established national brands like Brown Thomas are demonstrating their commitment to the city, but what is also very positive is to see, is small independent retail driving, and continuing to, invest. From O’Connell’s butcher, which is a fantastic traditional butcher shop with glorious design and merchandising, to Duo; a new ethical wellness store founded as a stylish community focused concept during the pandemic – physical retail is the heart of town.”

As well as the current positives, there are a number of initiatives Limerick City and County Council are taking part in to help the process along and encourage retailers to set up shop.

“The good news for retail is the population of Limerick City is steadily increasing. As its economic transformation continues, the time is ripe for further retail outlets to open here.”

“To encourage new retail businesses to set up, the council have announced a start-up grant of €6,000 to help o -set the t out costs for edgling enterprise. On rate bills up to €30,000 per year, a further 13.5% rebate to a maximum of €1500, can be claimed under the Small and Medium Business Support Scheme 2023, subject to various conditions (rates must be paid in full by direct debit by 31 December 2023 or by 31 July 2023 if using any other payment method),” Cecilia continues. “Retailers can also avail of our award-winning social media platform by linking in with our marketing department.”

Big plans ahead

The development of the city is continuing at pace, she says, adding there are already a number of projects underway. “Limerick Council established a dynamic property development company, Limerick Twenty Thirty, to plan and develop key sites in Limerick city. These key sites include Gardens International on Henry Street with 80,000 sq ft of o ce space which is complete and operational. Work has started on the single biggest urban development project ever undertaken in

Limerick, The Opera Centre on Patrick Street and Ellen Street. This will bring up to 3,000 people to work and live in the city centre. Limerick Council have also been awarded €166m to develop the World Class Waterfront, the Cleeves Riverside Quarter and a number of pedestrian bridges and infrastructure projects along the Shannon riverfront.”

“These are just some of the projects Limerick City and County Council are involved with to drive the regeneration of the city centre to increase the number of people working and living here, and there has also been a substantial increase in private investment in retail, residential and o ce accommodation across the city centre.”

“Great retail is about wow design and display, great storytelling, curation and personalisation. Most importantly, it’s about great service, hospitality and community,” Matthew continues, adding this is what Limerick is both consistently doing and striving for as it revitalises its town centre in particular.

“The pandemic has shown us all that physical retail; and getting out shopping, chatting, meeting up with friends in vibrant town centres is more important than ever. The Retail Excellence Ireland Awards constantly demonstrate that Irish retail is already world-class, so alongside nourishing local businesses and incubating new brands, Limerick could also bring new national and international brands to town. The key is giving it a unique edge, rather than a cookie cutter approach.”