Kilkenny will take a significant step forward in its efforts to become more age-friendly, if a measure to introduce seating in the county’s shops is adopted by local businesses.
A notice of motion to encourage all shops and premises to install a seat for use by customers was agreed at this week’s borough council meeting.
Cathaoirleach Paul Cuddihy said that, as an age-friendly city and county, it was important to provide some sort of seating for people who need to rest momentarily.
“Many family-owned businesses already provide a chair, but others don’t. I would ask that all shops, if possible, come on board with this initiative,” he said.
“I have not yet met opposition to this, but I have met indifference.”
Cllr Cuddihy said that, while many businesses were able to provide a seat on demand, some customers were uncomfortable in asking or drawing attention to the matter. In the interests of discretion, a seat could be made available for older people, or shoppers with an illness or disability.
The proposal was universally welcomed in the council chamber. The measure, if successful, would represent a step forward in terms of Kilkenny’s quest to become more age-friendly.
Mayor David Fitzgerald recently visited the capital to sign the Dublin Declaration, a document drafted with the purpose of promoting a better quality of life for the older citizens in cities around the world.
Kilkenny is now one of 40 cities committed to creating a more age-friendly urban environment, in accordance with World Health Organisation’s guidelines.
Under the agreement, Kilkenny must strive to improve the living experience for its older residents.
The WHO’s guidelines set out objectives for creating, within cities, an ‘awareness of older people – their rights, their needs, their potentials’. It champions initiatives such as: ‘public transport systems available to older people’ and ‘the participation of older people in social and cultural life’.
Representatives from cities around the world were in attendance.
“The recent signing of the Dublin Declaration was attended by mayors from all over Ireland and the world,” said Mayor Fitzgerald.
“I wish to pay tribute to all those involved in the age-friendly cities initiative.”
