Concerns raised over proliferation of phone shops

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, has hit out at the ‘proliferation’ of mobile phone shops in Galway city centre.

According to the group, there are 12 such shops in the city centre, which undermines the role of Galway as a destination for fashion and high-end shopping.

The comments were made in a submission on plans by Vodafone Retail Ireland to open a new outlet in the vacant H Samuels unit on William Street.

In a submission to Galway City Council, An Taisce wrote: “Galway City’s retail experience should be supported by a wide range of conventional, independent and specialist retail and service outlets that attract both Galwegians and visitors to shop, sit and stroll, whilst enjoying the area’s rich, historic charm and urban character.

“Measures to enhance the character of the city’s main shopping thoroughfare should be encouraged and to discourage the rise of less appropriate uses such as mobile phone shops and convenience stores.

“Because there are already 12 mobile shops in the city centre area, An Taisce have concerns that if more of the same are allowed, they will dominate the area and undermine the role of Galway as a key destination for fashion and other high-end comparison shopping,” the submission reads.

Vodafone has indicated it plans to close its two existing city centre premises – on the corner of Williamsgate Street and in Corbett Court – and move the business to the former H Samuels unit.
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