Kilkenny’s popular weekly farmers market faces into an uncertain future over the coming weeks as traders continue to lobby local councillors for a move out into the open.
Market traders in the city have been left frustrated with the Borough Council as their trade continues to suffer, largely due to their poor positioning on the newly revamped Parade, they believe.
According to Kilkenny Farmers Market chairperson Mary Merritt, the main problems with their new location have been space and visibility, with one long-time trader already cutting his losses and pulling out of the market.
“We are not 20 traders, we are one market and we have to stand up,” said Ms Merritt, who trades as Indulge Bakery.
“Our hope is that the 12 elected representatives can see sense because people’s livelihoods are at stake. We are all local producers and we employ almost 60 people.
“In this time of recession when people are seriously struggling you would imagine that the council would be doing everything in their power to keep businesses going.”
The markets recently moved back to the Parade having temporarily relocated to the Market Yard for two years while renovations took place at the Parade.
But the traders had hoped to be housed in the new open plaza rather than the ‘narrow and dark’ Mayor’s Walk where there lack of visibility appears to be impeding trade.
“There has been a decline in trade, it is not an area where people walk through,” Ms Merritt told the Advertiser.
“Markets have seen a downturn anyway across the board without moving up here where there is no visibility. When you are standing at the traffic lights you can just about see the back of the stalls but when the leaves come into full bloom you won’t see us here.”
The plaza area of the Parade is not currently zoned for casual trading but traders are hopeful local councillors will vote in support of granting a temporary events license similar to that granted for their move to the Market Yard.
The issue has been further hampered by legal wranglings involving the Borough Council and the casual trading by-laws, with those by-laws currently up for review.
The market traders are making a submission to the council under that review but the fear is that time is not on their side and a temprary grant would help ease the pressure.
“It is frustrating more than anything because it not going to come soon,” Ms Merritt continued.
“We are trying to make a living here and it is getting harder everyday.
“We have had no objections from the local businesses. We are here long enough that nobody needs to be afraid of us, business benefits business.
“How beautful would it be to have a summer with a market out there where people can sit and have a coffee and buy a scone or a piece of quiche and locals and tourists could enjoy this amazing facility.
“Ideally we would be out on the new €8.9 million new plaza which is currently unused. Right now all you have is a glorified skate park.”
Mayor Malcolm Noonan said the council had missed the chance to move the market out to the plaza in February but added there now seemed to be an element of support among members.
“I have a long-term ambition to see the markets expand and develop with a strong focus on local produce. I would see them as a significant employer,” he said.
Local Fianna Fail councillor Joe Malone is another representative who said he would support a move for the market.
“I saw first hand, they are shoved up in the corner and it is impossible for people to see them,” he said.
“I’d want to bring them out onto the plaza where people will tend to stop and see what’s on offer and they can sell their wares. It is only half a day a week, it is not asking too much.”
Ms Merritt said a similar situation took place in Waterford, where traders lobbied for four years to have the market moved out onto city square, and when it was finally moved the market thrived and expanded from seven to 17 traders.
“My takings went up 300 percent and it would be exactly the same here,” she said.
