THE LIBERTIES BUSINESS FORUM SUPPORTING THE LIBERTIES BUSINESS AREA IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE ANNUAL REPORT 2015
The Liberties Business Area Improvement Initiative is a partnership between Dublin City Council and local stakeholders and businesses in the commercial streets of The Liberties Dublin. The programme is working to revive one of Dublin’s most historic and colourful districts to create a highly attractive area within which to live, work, visit and invest. The Liberties Business Forum represents the interests of large and small businesses and stakeholders in Dublin’s historic Liberties district. The Forum works in partnership with Dublin City Council to oversee and deliver The Liberties Business Area Improvement Initiative - an initial three year collaboration to transform the business environment of Dublin 8. This Annual Report sets out the achievements of the Business Area Improvement Initiative and the Forum during its second year, 2015.
The Liberties Business Forum Limited Registered Office: 1st Floor Eblana House, Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8 Company No: 562358 A company limited by guarantee and not having any share capital
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Our ambition is to develop the commercial streets of The Liberties Thomas Street & Cornmarket, James Street, High Street, Meath Street, Francis Street and Newmarket - as a highly attractive area within which to live, work, visit and invest.
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ACHIEVEMENT
2015 was a successful and busy year in The Liberties Dublin. Some of the notable achievements of the area partnership included:
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In May 2015, The Liberties Business Forum Limited was established as a not-for-profit company to formalise the activities of the Forum and its role in the economic life of the area.
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A new Liberties website was launched in June 2015: www.libertiesdublin.ie
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A very successful Liberties Showcase and Investment Expo was held in June 2015 in Teelings on Newmarket Square. The exhibition and networking event was addressed by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD.
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A promotional brochure and business guides have been developed and are available online.
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A new Liberties visitor map and guide has been developed and distributed to tourism offices and venues. It’s also available online.
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The Shopfront Improvement Scheme was piloted by Dublin City Council on Thomas Street and Cornmarket, offering incentives to businesses and property owners to upgrade their frontages. In total, 12 projects were funded under the scheme, a number of which have now been completed. Continued confidence in the area has encouraged a range of other improvements on our streets.
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Tree planters have been installed on Thomas Street and James Street under Dublin City Council’s Liberties Greening Strategy. Further locations are planned for 2016.
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A process of engagement with building owners, existing and new business interests has continued, to encourage and draw investment to the area.
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National and local media exposure of the area and its renewal.
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COLLABORATION Chairperson’s Statement The Liberties Business Forum was born out of the desire of businesses and institutions in The Liberties to collaborate and develop a sense of shared purpose, so that collectively we could enhance our business environment. Developing out of an informal structure, 2015 saw the Liberties Business Forum establish as a limited company. This provides for a strengthened commitment from all members to achieve the aims and objectives which we set for ourselves when we first met back in March 2014. While limited in resources, the work of the Liberties Business Forum has been strongly supported by Dublin City Council. The Forum has been a mechanism to leverage private sector investment into The Liberties, that in turn, complements the considerable efforts of Dublin City Council in recent years. Through the appointment of a dedicated Programme Coordinator to work with the Forum, we have been able to proactively support existing businesses in the area, to be a point of information for new investment and enterprises wishing to establish here, and to communicate a positive message to the wider city about The Liberties and its ongoing renewal. Following our inauguration as a company, one of our first outreach events was the Liberties Showcase & Investment Expo which we ran at the Teeling Distillery last June. Over 200 people participated in the event, from business, the local community and local representatives, and the event offered a showcase of some of the dynamic sectors driving this area’s renewal, and a lively discussion on it future potential. We were very pleased to welcome the then Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton to the event. We clearly imparted to him the importance of recognising The Liberties as a distinctive business district of design, healthcare and technology. Another strong dimension of The Liberties economy is food and drink, and associated tourism, which is seen most strongly in the thriving Guinness and Teeling operations. The Forum made it clear that The Liberties is an open book for pilot programmes and urban initiatives, and a test bed for tax incentives that can attract investment. The Forum’s support for the National Children’s Hospital was an important feature of our work last year. We met with the project team, and maintained open lines of communications as plans for the hospital were prepared for submission to An Bord Pleanála. And while our support has been solid, we have insisted that the project must result in local benefit; that the new hospital must face outwards and engage with local services, collaborate with institutions and work in partnership with community. The Forum firmly believes that the new hospital will dramatically redefine and regenerate The Liberties and adjoining neighbourhoods. Elsewhere closer co-operation between the institutions and businesses in The Liberties has produced some notable results. At the very first meeting of the Liberties Business Forum, NCAD briefed members on the pressures it faced with regard to space. That began a conversation between the college and Diageo on the use of vacant spaces on James’s Street. By September 2015, post graduates took occupancy of revamped buildings on the street, and this has contributed positively to streetscape of the area. Even outside the Forum, conversations and collaborations are happening across businesses and institutions: the ZoZimus gallery on Francis Street continued to host the NCAD ceramics showcase, while The Food Gallery on Thomas Street showcases and sells student art. This spirit of collaboration and ‘meitheal’ in The Liberties is an essential part of our area’s ‘brand’. As a Forum, we look forward to maximising the area’s unique potential as we look ahead to 2016 and 2017.
Catherine Heaney - Managing Director, DHR Communications, Francis Street
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Who We Are: LIBERTIES BUSINESS FORUM BOARD
(Appointed May 2015)
Catherine Heaney
DHR Communications
(Chairperson)
Bruce Phillips
Dublin City Council South Central Area
Anthony Flynn
Dublin City Council South Central Area (resigned Sept 2015)
Christian Hayden
A4 Art, Thomas Street
Declan McGonagle
National College Art & Design
Gerry Macken
The Digital Hub Development Agency
Jack Roche
Greengrocer, Meath Street
Nicholas Gore-Grimes
Cross Gallery, Francis Street
Richard Hamilton
Independent member
Anthony Joyce
Anthony Joyce Solicitors
(Company Secretary)
Additional Members of the Forum (not acting as Directors in 2015) Vincent Callan
St James’s Hospital
Angela Smith
Diageo Ireland
Jennifer Kennedy
Guinness Storehouse
Liam Reid
Diageo Ireland
Joanne Kearney
The Digital Hub Development Agency
Jack Teeling
Teeling Whiskey Company
Representative to South Central Joint Policing Committee/ Business Watch Aoife Carragher
Reilly’s Pharmacy, Cornmarket
Executive Stephen Coyne
Programme Coordinator
Michael Barry
Marketing & Promotions Officer
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To contribute to the ongoing improvement of commercial and social life in The Liberties through practical measures and actions over an initial period of three years. -8-
PROGRAMME Headline Investments in The Liberties Almost €1bn of private and public sector investment is currently being made in The Liberties. Over the coming years, The Liberties will be transformed by improvements in public realm and streetscape, public space, the hospital campus and new National Children’s Hospital, in tourism infrastructure and attractions, and in our small industry and enterprise hubs. The process of renewal is well advanced. During the term of this report, a number of significant projects were largely completed or are well progressed. Key projects include:
St James Hospital Campus Development, National Paediatric Hospital
€700m
Brewhouse 4, Victoria Quay facility - Diageo Ireland
€150m
The Guinness Storehouse and Open Door Brewery - Diageo Ireland
€10m
Teelings Whiskey Distillery and Visitor Centre, Newmarket
€10m
Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery and Visitor Centre, James Street - Alltech
€5.5m
St James Churchyard Restoration & Visitor Access Digital Hub Campus Development, Binary Hub Student Housing
€40m
Uninest Student Housing Mill Street - Creedon Group / Global Accom
€41m
Liberties Environmental Plan, Dublin City Council Public Realm Investment
€2.5-3m
Thomas Street Enhancement Scheme
€3.3m
Fáilte Ireland Investment, The Dubline (High Street to James Street)
€0.8m
St Luke’s Church and Grounds Conservation Plan
€0.38
Dublin City Council Parks Investment — Cork Street (Weaver Park), Bridgefoot Street, St Audoen’s Park & City Walls
€2m
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What’s Been Achieved So Far
COMMUNICATING & PROMOTING ‘A BETTER LIBERTIES’
A strong ‘The Liberties Dublin’ brand established. The Liberties Business Forum Ltd established in May
2015.
Monthly e-newsletter and bulletins issued to over 300
business and community.
A new Liberties website launched in June 2015. Active social media channels with over 7000 followers Ongoing process of engagement with building owners
and existing and new business interests to encourage and draw investment to the area.
Enhanced Garda presence on Thomas Street provided
in summer 2014 and 2015. Liberties Business Watch programme established.
Area Showcase and Investment Expo held in June 2015
in Teelings of Newmarket. Promotional brochure and business guides developed and published online.
Extensive national and local media exposure in 2015
Opportunities for 2016
Key Challenges: 1. Develop an environment that is conducive and supportive of business 2. Challenge negative perceptions of The Liberties and raising the profile of the area with the wider city
3. Develop a source of news and information about the area 4. Encourage more people to visit and spend time in The Liberties 5. Develop a high level communications and lobbying strategy to influence key stakeholders in the community and in state agencies and bodies to invest in The Liberties
Continue to develop ‘The Liberties Dublin' website and
social media channels as engaging news sources for the area. Develop brand guidelines for ‘The Liberties Dublin’ brand for businesses and encourage its use.
Encourage more cross-over events and ‘Liberties’
themed events.
Continue the #Better4BusinessD8 campaign. Continue
to build relationships with building owners/agents to reduce vacancies and attract new businesses to the area.
Continue to develop a partnership with relevant
agencies and service providers to address 'street atmosphere' and address anti-social behaviour.
With stakeholders, hold further ‘open days’ of business
campuses etc in the area. Support a greater city profile for the NCAD Graduate Exhibitions.
Host smaller-scale business events that target and
attract key sectors to the area.
Develop a high level communications strategy to lobby
key agencies, stakeholders and bodies to encourage investment in The Liberties.
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What’s Been Achieved So Far
CULTURAL LIFE, TOURISM & A DESIGN DISTRICT
Participation in citywide cultural events and activities
including Tradfest, St Patricks Day, Heritage Week, Culture Night, Open House. Regular walking tours provided during the year.
A new Liberties visitor map and guide produced and
distributed to tourism offices, venues and online.
‘Visit the Liberties’ pages on the website.Events and
activities promoted through web and social media.
Liberties Welcome Ambassador programme run for 3
years from Jun to Aug each summer. A pop-up information Hub established on Thomas Street.
New visitor attractions developed in the area.
Encouragement for tourism businesses.
‘Welcome’ banners on High Street, Bull Alley Street Christmas campaign - The Liberties: Christmas All
Wrapped Up!
Proposals for a number of hotel developments in the
area.
Opportunities for 2016 Key Challenges:
Continue to develop a tourism strategy for The
1. Position The Liberties as one of Dublin’s ‘must-see’ areas
Encourage and support The Liberties Festival.
2. Provide places to stay 3. Expand the range of things to do in the area and encouraging visitors to explore The Liberties 4. Ensure that the footfall to the major attractions benefits the commercial streets and wider area 5. Develop a greater outreach for NCAD and creatives in the area to generate new business activity
Liberties that is focused on improved connections between key attractions in the area; support for new attractions; improve visitor information.
Improve DCC Events coverage of this area. Develop a brand for Francis Street - Art & Antiques
Quarter and Meath Street Market.
Encourage more 'local-based' historic walks of the
area and support a high quality visitor information hub.
Develop a ‘Creative Liberties’ page and information
on new website.
Support and promote the 1916 Commemoration
programme in The Liberties.
Help to publicise NCAD Graduate Week and explore
possibilities for businesses to engage with festival.
Promote The Liberties as a location for hotels and
support hotel and accommodation development.
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What’s Been Achieved So Far
ATTRACTING INVESTMENT & PROMOTING NEW BUSINESS
A successful Area Showcase Event held in June
2015
A promotional brochure and strategy developed
promoting 6 key themes for growth - supported by the website.
€1bn of public/private sector investment in the area
expected by 2019
Continued interest in development of visitor
attractions in area: Guinness Storehouse improvement, Teelings (2015) and St James (Pearse Lyons) Distillery (opening 2017)
St James Hospital as location for National Children’s
Hospital - a €650m investment with attendant community benefits and regeneration (opening 2019)
High media profile in 2015 with national and local
coverage
Growth of The Digital Hub with new office space
opened at Grainstore. Continued success of The GEC.
Opportunities in 2016 Key Challenges: 1. Develop an environment that conducive and supportive of business 2. Build the local business network
3. Engage with Enterprise Ireland, IDA and agencies to bring further employment and investment to the area 4. Increasing the number of restaurants and cafes and creating a more vibrant evening economy 5. Retain businesses in this area and facilitate ‘scaling-up’ from small to medium size
Continue to advertise and highlight new business
opportunities in the area and create a supportive environment for existing businesses.
Host a second investment event in 2016 Explore with NCAD the potential to develop a craft
fare or pop-up design shop as part of future Graduate Weeks. Assist with greater promotion of Graduate Week as the basis for a ‘design district’.
Identify and focus on key industries to attract into The
Liberties area (i.e. Health and Life Sciences, Digital Media, Tourism, Creative, Food & Drinks)
Liberties Business Forum will develop a
communications and advocacy strategy that actively targets EI & IDA and supports FDI investment in The Liberties.
Engage with Dublin City LEO support for new SMEs
and NCAD graduate start-ups.
Work with local representatives and councillors to
support the continued commercial renewal of the area.
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What We Achieved So Far
THOMAS STREET: A BUSTLING & VIBRANT STREET
Ongoing improvement of shopfronts and buildings on
Thomas Street with a range of owners encouraged to upgrade. Reduced vacancy on Thomas Street in 2015. A Shopfront Improvement Scheme piloted on Thomas
Street in 2015 - 12 projects supported 25 tree planters installed under Greening Plan. Winter
tiered planters provided. Further locations for planters in 2016 identified. Significant level of work to add value to the Thomas
Street Enhancement Programme (QBC works). Attention to three key projects on Thomas Street -
Chadwick's Arch, 10-13 Cornmarket & Thomas Court. Improvements to visitor signage under Dubline in
2015. New Dubline heritage panels installed. Upgrading of NCAD frontages and new campus
heritage trail - Past & Present.
Opportunities for 2016 Key Challenges:
Undertake outstanding pavement and public lighting
improvements on Thomas Street by end of 2016.
1. Thomas Street is the primary street of the area but requires investment in buildings along the route and public realm 2. There is a significant degree of dereliction and vacancy on the street 3. Businesses have concerns around coordination of services on the street 4. There is a need to attract fresh business ideas to the street 5. There is a limited evening economy on the street and in particular, limited options to eat in the area after 7pm
Continue a programme of building/ shopfront
improvements on Thomas Street and make available a second year of incentives. Engage more building owners to come on board and focus on upper floors. Raise the standard of cleanliness of Thomas Street
and provide new bins. Seek improvement measures to side streets and
lanes off Thomas Street. Can these be more positively used? Support Digital Hub and Diageo plans to develop their
estates and encourage creative uses of older buildings. Continue to promote Thomas Street and enhance
visitor perceptions of the street. Provide further planters and seats. Encourage cafes to improve their terrace areas. Assess the potential to improve the presentation of
market stalls on Thomas Street
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What’s Been Achieved So Far
JAMES STREET: A CLEAN & INVITING STREET
New whiskey distillery and visitor centre under
development at former St James Church, including the restoration of the historic graveyard. New Camino Centre opened in St James Church Extensive programme of renewal of Diageo
properties along James Street estate. NCAD Postgrad & Research Annex and NIVAL
Library established on James Street. New district residents’ group was established in 2014
and renewed community engagement. New Dubline investment in signage and route quality. 25 tree planters installed under The Liberties
Greening Plan Improved presentation of Echlin Street with
assistance of Harkins Pub and local residents. Visitor leaflet developed for St James’s Church
Opportunities for 2016 Key Challenges:
Support local businesses and residents at Fountain
area to reduce vacancy and improve streetscape.
1. Develop an environment that is conducive and supportive of business 2. Create more lively frontages along James Street and make use of vacant Diageo buildings 3. Improve sentiment among business and local residents at the Fountain area and attract new uses to the area to fill vacant shops and sites
Develop a marketing campaign to create awareness
of Liberties businesses relevant to staff and visitors of St. James’s Hospital - ‘Your Street‘ Support the Alltech whiskey distillery investment at St
James's Church. Encourage improved signage, lighting and
presentation of Guinness Storehouse and its approaches and enhanced wayfinding signage. Work to resolve Grand Canal Harbour site Support the development of the National Children’s
Hospital at St James’s and the development of a Life Sciences Quarter in the vicinity of the hospitals.
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What’s Been Achieved So Far
FRANCIS STREET: CULTURAL LIFE, TOURISM & A DESIGN DISTRICT
Street upgrade works: Street lamps repainted. Work
to clean up small area beside Garden View and adjoining ESB site. Graffiti removal undertaken. Programme of shopfront refurbishment on the street
and hanging baskets initiative by local businesses. Re-landscaping of St Nicholas Place. Draft proposals for Francis Street public realm
prepared. Initial workshops with businesses and residents held in July 2014 and November 2015. Engagement with a number of vacant and derelict site
owners. Low vacancy of available units. Successful participation by galleries and businesses
in Culture Night.
Opportunities for 2016
Key Challenges: 1. Developing an environment that is conducive and supportive of business and residential life 2. Promoting the Art & Antiques Quarter 3. Drawing greater footfall to Francis Street from Thomas Street 4. Addressing a number of vacant sites on the street, most particularly the former Iveagh Market
Advance the Francis Street public realm improvement
project. Undertake some small urban interventions on the
street in 2016 - parklets, cycle parking Undertake a street branding initiative to promote
Francis Street as Dublin’s ‘Art & Antiques Quarter’ Continue to target vacant units/ derelict sites and
work with their owners to match potential tenants. Improve way finding signage to the street. Develop a pocket garden adjoining Garden View
Court. Seek improvement of the ESB substation site. Enhance the connection to Newmarket by improving
the public environment on Dean Street and The Coombe.
5. Improving the quality of the public realm
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What’s Been Achieved So Far
MEATH STREET: A BUSY & VIBRANT STREET
Pavement repair works undertaken and street lamps
repainted. Initial discussion with local businesses to designate
Meath Street as a market street. Refurbishment and opening of the Bull Ring Market
bringing a anchor use to the street Three new café businesses establishing at end of
2015 Improvements to The Coombe Hospital memorial
Opportunities for 2016 Key Challenges: 1. Develop an environment that is conducive and supportive of small and informal business 2. Promote market life on Meath Street 3. Draw greater footfall to Meath Street from Thomas Street 4. Address the quality of shopfronts on the street
Consider ways to improve profile of Meath Street
Market. Provide new wayfinder signage to Meath Street. Consider banners to streetlamps and promotional measures. Extend the shopfront improvement grant on Meath
Street and encourage investment in buildings. Contribute to a longer term public realm vision for
Meath Street. Consider new cultural arts uses for empty units at
The Coombe. Explore potential to floodlight St Catherine's Church
and improve visitor signage in its vicinity.
5. Improve the quality of the public realm and regularise stalls and on-street trading
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What’s Been Achieved So Far
NEWMARKET & CORK STREET: A NEW AREA FOR BUSINESS
New Teelings Whiskey Distillery opened for business
in June 2015 with over 30,000 visitors by year end. This is new footfall to Newmarket.
Dublin Food Coops, The Green Door Market and
regular Dublin Fleas make this one of Dublin’s most vibrant market areas.
A new city park - Weaver Park - designed and
expected to develop in Summer 2016
Street lamp repainting, new bins and improved street
cleansing. New steps from St Luke’s Avenue. The ‘Newmarket’ mural sign.
New student housing development commences
development on Mill Street including the restoration of 10 Mill Street as a cultural space.
Hotel development approved for Blackpitts
Opportunities for 2016 Key Challenges: 1. Transition the area from light industrial and vacant spaces to new uses such as housing, quality retail and market spaces and small businesses
Improve recognition of Newmarket as a city
destination.
Support a second craft Food and Drink Fair Seek improved presentation of St Luke’s Church site Seek new visitor signage and wayfinding. Dublin City Council proposed Newmarket public
realm improvement plan to be advanced
2. Cork Street represents a traffic barrier, separating the area from The Liberties 3. Poor quality public realm 4. St Luke’s Church is a significant historic asset but is derelict and inaccessible
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FINANCIAL
Treasurer’s Statement The Liberties Business Forum Limited was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee having no share capital on 21st May 2015. There have been no financial transactions to the benefit of or by The Liberties Business Forum Limited from the date of its incorporation and up to 31st December 2015 (the period of this Annual Report). An Annual Return in respect of the Company was made to the Companies Registration Office on 21st November 2015. There was no requirement to appoint auditors to the Company up to 31st December 2015.
Anthony Joyce - Principal, Anthony Joyce & Partners, Francis Street
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ATTITUDES
The Liberties is an area that is full of personality and it is currently drawing new ideas, new energy and new people. Through the Liberties Business Forum, we are collaborating and supporting each other. This collaboration is part of the personality of the area and it’s one of the reasons why someone would locate here. - 20 -
A short survey of businesses in The Liberties was undertaken in November and December 2015. While the response rate was low, the results provide some interesting views on the progress of the area over the year and point to the further improvements that can be made. Its #Better4BusinessD8!
On confidence levels in the area...
On cleanliness and safety...
On your business fronts...
How are we doing?...
© LIBERTIES BUSINESS FORUM 2016 REGISTERED OFFICE: EBLANA HOUSE, MARROWBONE LANE, DUBLIN 8 WWW.LIBERTIESDUBLIN.IE | FORUM@LIBERTIESDUBLIN.IE @libertiesdublin
The Liberties Dublin