Limerick-Shannon MASP Policy Objective 16
Shannon Foynes Port a. It is an objective, subject to the outcome of environmental assessments and the planning process, including SEA and AA as appropriate, to support the continued expansion of Shannon Foynes Port and to recognise the significant opportunities for the Southern Region and Ireland by virtue of its deep waters. b. It is an objective to support and promote the inclusion of Shannon Foynes Port onto the EU core network corridor as it would bring significant 8.7 | Retail Shopping habits and retail are subject to continuous change. Furthermore, a lack of population density, the growth of suburban shopping centres and the significant growth in online shopping are contributing to low levels of footfall within city centres. With the loss of retail activity, urban centres lose attractiveness, vitality and liveability. Retail plays a central role in placemaking and creating attractive liveable environments, enabling strong mixed- use urban cores and facilitating regeneration. Retail and the City Centre experience must be reshaped and adapted to this changed circumstance. This will require improvements to access, enhanced sustainable transport connectivity and a significantly improved customer experience of visiting Limerick City Centre and Shannon Town Centre. The Retail Strategy for the Mid-West Region 2010-16 highlighted that Limerick City Centre fell behind other Irish cities and no longer performed to its Tier 1 Status in the shopping hierarchy 40 and that too much trade was lost to suburban locations. The Strategy sought to re-establish Limerick City Centre at the top of the regional hierarchy as the preferred location for new retail development. The need to regenerate Shannon Town Centre and improvements in the retail offer to create a sense of focus on arrival at the town centre is also a priority.
investment opportunities to the region in the form of FDI potential and as well as supporting enhanced external connectivity with Ireland’s European partners. c. It is an objective to support the reinstatement of the Limerick to Foynes rail line and the delivery of the Foynes to Limerick Road Improvement Scheme. d. It is an objective to safeguard and maintain Foynes Island as a vital port asset and to support the provision of natural deep water berthage on the island.
The heart of retail activity in Limerick City focuses on the core area of Cruises Street, O’Connell Street, Roches Street, William Street and Henry Street. Arthur’s Quay is the only purpose-built shopping centre in the City Centre. The transition to Irish Town and the Milk Market area offers a concentration of restaurants, bars and night clubs which represent the core of the night time economy. It is an objective to reposition Limerick City Centre at the top of the retail hierarchy by improving the range and quality of shopping on offer, enhanced customer experience of visiting the City Centre. A contemporary shopping offer with leisure – food, drink and entertainment at the heart of the experience. This can be achieved by radically improving the City Centre experience in the prime shopping area. The retailing business model is evolving in a digital direction. Therefore, retail should be at the centre of any digital strategies developed by local authorities. A city or town centre should attract consumers by offering a unique retail experience and to evolve in line with data about shopping preferences and behaviour. The MASP supports funding mechanisms to support traditional retailers in the transition to technology led, experiential retail models.
40. Colliers CRE, Retail Strategy for the Mid-West Region 2010 – 2016
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
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