COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor T. Gilligan

"To ask the Chief Executive to set up a Farmers Market in Corkagh Park?

REPLY:

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.

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.

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.

There are currently no proposals to establish a farmers market and no approach has been made to the Council by any group or committee. Setting up a market would also require input from a number of different departments.