COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 08, 2021

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor E. Murphy

That South Dublin County Council investigates sites in the Firhouse area for the implementation of a Farmers/ Outdoor Market.

REPORT:

There are a number of criteria which are used to determine the suitability of a site for a farmers / outdoor 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. Insurances are also an issue. 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 outdoor market 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. South Dublin County Council would support and encourage the setting up of seasonal and craft markets within public or privately owned spaces in established villages and towns in the County, with an emphasis on supporting local entrepreneurship, cultural diversity, an expanded range of retail businesses, and an increased availability of locally produced and manufactured products. Accordingly any proposal for a market at a proposed site will require a plan from an operator with awareness and experience of these issues.