Blow for Galway city centre as retailers shut up shop for good

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – Fears are rising this week that the city’s retail sector faces total collapse amid increasing Covid-19 restrictions – it was revealed there are almost 50 vacant units within a one-kilometre radius of Eyre Square.

CEO of Galway Chamber Kenny Deery said a survey carried out in conjunction with Transition Year students found there were 46 empty premises in the city centre core and warned that more would be added to that list unless the Government committed to adequate supports.

“What’s alarming is this data is not being compiled on a regular basis – when a business closes, the owner makes a decision and the lights go out. Nobody is collating that data centrally.

“When they take that decision, it’s an awful feeling – almost like a death in the family – and the local authority won’t know until they actually walk the street and see that it’s closed,” said Mr Deery.

It was for that reason that a campaign was needed to encourage spending in retail, similar to the ‘Dine in Galway’ venture that had been running for the restaurant industry.

“We really need to support business in the run-up to Christmas. There’s no point in launching a campaign now as we head into these restrictions for the next three weeks, but we do need a campaign to focus on the city centre,” said Mr Deery.
This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of the story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.