COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION: Councillor Peter Kavanagh

"To ask the Chief Executive if any feasibility studies have been run into open air or street markets in the county, with a view to establishing a Clondalkin Market, and if he will report on same."

REPLY:

Over the years, Farmers Markets have been tried at several locations in South Dublin County including Tallaght Village, outside County Hall and Corkagh Park, regrettably without long term success. A farmers market was established in 2010 in Corkagh Park following detailed discussions and planning in 2009 with Irish Farmers Markets. The market ran for a short period during the summer months but ultimately proved to be unsustainable.

There are a number of criteria which are used to determine the suitability of a site for a street market 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 or street markets are very vulnerable to weather conditions, in particular, wet and windy weather.

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