COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

MOTION NO. 14

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

"That this Area Committee asks that a farmer's market or food co-operative could be accommodated by the Council in the Clondalkin area."

REPORT:

The success of a 'farmers market' is highly dependent on location and volumes of pedestrian traffic. Despite efforts to establish 'farmers markets' in two prominent locations some years ago in Tallaght and in Corkagh Park, areas all frequented by pedestrians, the experience has highlighted the difficulties in establishing and maintaining the critical mass necessary for a successful 'farmers market'.

There are a number of criteria which are used to determine the suitability of a site including site location, road frontage, footfall, composition and diversity of the market, demand for and pricing of produce and the interaction with surrounding businesses. In addition, farmers markets are very vulnerable to weather conditions, in particular, wet and windy weather.

From an economic perspective, the holding of any Farmers Markets would need to be very carefully considered in relation the quality and content of any offering and also in relation to potential impact on existing established businesses.