‘We will be totally victimised if pay parking comes into effect’ warn Tipperary businesses
Local business owners say proposed by-laws introducing paid on-street parking could deter shoppers and harm trade in the town centre
Some ratepayers in Cahir who are unhappy with the proposed parking by-laws for the town have come together to voice their concerns.
Speaking to The Nationalist this week, a number of local business owners said they fear the proposed measures would be detrimental to trade and the wider community.
The proposed new parking bye-laws for Cahir would see the Introduction of two hour paid on street parking in The Square, Castle Street, and surrounding areas, with locals only getting 20 minutes of free parking across all zones. Currently these areas are free to park in for up to two hours.
Retired businessman John Quirke, who owned Quirke's Jewellers in the town for more than 50 years before retiring recently, said the proposals have caused significant concern among business owners.
"We feel we will be totally victimised if pay parking comes into effect on the streets. It will set the town back years and will see a lot of shops close their doors," he said.
"The general feeling is that local people will not come into town to shop, have lunch, get a coffee, or visit chemists, barbers and hairdressers if they have to pay to park."
Business owners in the town have also said there has been a lack of communication, transparency, and engagement from Tipperary County Council officials in relation to the proposed pay parking measures. Gerry Cagney, who owns three businesses in the town, said he fears paid parking could force him to reduce the scale of his operations in the future.
"We've always had the comfort of people being able to come into town, park, and spend time here. They might come in for a watch battery or a watch strap, but then they'll browse other shops, have a coffee, and make additional purchases. Paid parking changes that behaviour," he said.
"Instead of taking their time, people will want to get in and out as quickly as possible. Some won't come in at all. That takes away the social aspect of the town."
Cagney said his concerns extend beyond his own businesses. "I have three businesses in Cahir and employ between 10 and 14 people. My concern isn't what happens to me personally; it's what happens to the businesses, the jobs and the wider community if trade declines," he said. "If business reduces, we could reach a stage where I have to scale back operations or reduce staffing levels. That's a real concern." He said his views are based on personal experience of similar parking changes elsewhere.
"I've seen this happen before in Kilkenny and I can categorically say it made a huge difference to my business there. I have the figures to prove it. I've seen the impact first hand, which is why I'm even more concerned about what could happen in Cahir."
Cagney added that Cahir's existing free parking system works well for residents, visitors and businesses alike.
"The current two hour free parking works well. People can go to the dentist, do their shopping, have something to eat and spend time in town. That's good for local businesses and good for the town itself."
Chemist Niall Morrison of Morrison's Pharmacy also expressed concerns about the proposals.
"I worry that if paid parking is introduced in the square and along the streets, it will be detrimental to businesses and to the people of the town," he said.
"We are already paying high rate increases. I can't see what good getting rid of free parking can bring to businesses and locals here in Cahir."
These business owners are not alone in their opposition to the removal of free parking in the town.
As part of a recent consultation on proposed changes to parking by-laws across towns in Tipperary, 210 public submissions were received in March. Of these, 88 related specifically to Cahir, making it the town with the highest number of submissions.
A public petition titled “Keep parking free in Cahir” aims to keep two hours of free parking in areas of the town where it exists.
The petition has gathered around 3,000 signatures and was submitted to the council at the close of the consultation period in March.
One local shop told The Nationalist that they and another business have since gathered a further 500 signatures, reflecting strong local sentiment in favour of retaining free parking in both the Square car park and on-street parking in the town centre.