Castlebar Market Square Traders & Residents Views on the Proposed Development of Market Square

 

The results of a survey conducted by Castlebar Tidy Towns Committee

The survey was carried out on Wednesday 31st. March, Thursday 1st. April & Tuesday 6th. April 1999 by Joe Butler, Ger Deere & Liam Durkan on behalf of Castlebar Tidy Towns Committee.

The purpose of the Survey was prompted by a newspaper article which outlined that the consultants who drafted the plans for the Market Square had recommended against the proposed development. The committee received confirmation of this recommendation from the UDC. Environmental enhancement forms a major part of the National Tidy Towns campaign & where a doubt exists on a development the guideline in the Tidy Towns Handbook issued by the Department of the Environment requests that a Survey be conducted.

A total of 69 businesses(66) & residents(3) were contacted & responses were received from 61 of these(60 businesses & 1 resident). This is a response rate of 88%. Questions were open & the survey objective was to obtain each individual’s personal views on the proposed scheme.

We would like to thank all those surveyed for their help & willingness to co-operate & the courtesy extended.

 
Car-Parking Spaces

38%(24) of Traders & Residents favoured losing all existing car-parking spaces on Market Square. Retention of up to 10 & 15 car-parking spaces would satisfy 54%(33) & 72%(48) of Traders & Residents respectively. An additional 8%(5) favoured retaining 20 spaces while 3%(2) wanted retention of all existing 28 car-parking spaces-

For the majority it was preferable to lose car-parking than lose the development.

 

Parking by Percentage

 
Sculpture Piece 70%(41) of Traders & Residents approved of the proposed piece of Sculpture while 24%(14) would prefer another unspecified sculpture to be located on the Square. 6%(3) were opposed to any Sculpture being situated on the Market Square.Sculpture Preferences

A small number expressed a wish to have a sculpture which would reflect the square as a market & trading area.

Sculpture Preferences

 
Trees 72%(44) of Traders & Residents approved the proposed trees. 21%(13) disapproved stating that their height would obscure their shop-fronts & window displays. These respondents favoured smaller scale trees. 7%(4) did not want any trees on the square.Trees Preferences

Trees Preferences

 
Seating 90%(55) of Traders & Residents were in favour of installing seating at or near the sculptureSeating Preferences.

Seating Preferences

 
Other Concerns The main additional concern relates to the presence of Casual Traders on the Market Square. Of those Traders & Residents who expressed this concern(38%)[23] only 2%(1) approved of them being located on the square while the majority of 21%(13) would like to see them regulated in terms of space allotted, length of time & number of days permitted & a levy charged. A further 15%(9) wish to remove casual traders from the square. 62%(38) did not make an issue of casual tradersCasual Trading Preferences.

Casual Trading Preferences.

 
General Comments Some of the comments made are as follows:

  • Market Square is a focal point to attract visitors & help business;
  • Car park is not used by customers anyway but by owners & staff;
  • Prefer to lose car-parking, rather than lose the scheme;
  • If scheme proceeds it is vital that the area is well maintained to prevent loitering, littering, vandalism, trees preserved & protected;
  • If parking then 1 hour is the consensus;
  • If all at one level(roads & footpaths) it would be safer as the current conditions of the paths are dangerous;
  • Set-down spaces need to be provided particularly at the County Cleaners/Fiona’s end of the square for customers & deliveries;
  • If car parking is to be lost on the square it should be provided elsewhere;
  • Casual traders are taking up valuable car-parking spaces;
  • A very significant investment of a property will only proceed if enhancement goes ahead.

 
Conclusions What is abundantly clear & substantiated by the evidence is that Traders & Residents alike are in favour of the scheme proceeding with limited parking on it as it will uplift the area & attract more visitors & shoppers. The overwhelming consensus is that the square cannot be left in its present state.

 

 
Survey Details

A copy of the completed surveys together with the result & attachments is being sent to:

-Market Square Traders Association;

-Castlebar UDC.

Additional copies of the results may be obtained from Castlebar Tidy Towns, Castlebar Chamber of Commerce, Newantrim St. Tel. 094-24845.