Traders hopeful of plans for Clanbrassil Street transformation

ONCE THE BEATING HEART OF DUNDALK’S RETAIL INDUSTRY, CLANBRASSIL STREET HAS NEVER RECOVERED FROM THE ECONOMIC CRASH, BUT OLIVIA RYAN REPORTS ON NEW HOPE FOR THE ONCE ICONIC STREET

IT isn’t that long ago when Clanbrassil Street was the beating heart of the town, the shopping mecca and main attraction for visitors and locals alike. Looking back to the early 2000’s, there was a great deal of life on the town’s main street, with new shops opening, and iconic names like Dearey’s still presiding over a bustling thoroughfare.

But fast forward to 2017, and the once thriving shopping venue is dominated now by empty units, and vastly reduced footfall.

‘I’m surrounded by charity shops, and empty units here,’ said Damien Mee, Home Affairs.

The business has been in his family for over 50 years, and having survived through good and bad, he admitted to feeling a sense of despair at how Clanbrassil street had deteriorated in recent years.

‘I was speaking to a lady recently who said she ‘never goes any further than the post office’ so what does that say?’

‘We need to look at bringing back a bit of life to this end of the street,’ added Damien.

Retailers have admittedly felt the strain, with many not surviving the economic pressures.

It was against this background that new plans for the street were unveiled at this month’s meeting of the Dundalk Municipal District Committee.

Long awaited funding to revitalise the street and the ‘St. Nicholas quarter’ are now becoming available, with a €2million fund under the ‘ Gateway’ towns initiative, and a further €2 million match funding from Louth County Council.

The local authority have engaged specialist townscape designer BDP to come up with plans to rejuvenate the street.

Speaking at the meeting Gareth Maguire, Architect Director, said that much had been learned from the success of the redevelopment at Market Square.

‘ The aim for Clanbrassil Street is to continue the quality achieved at Market square. We want to create a platform for a townscape that improves over time.’

He stressed ‘ this is not just a re-paving project, it is trying to improve the whole street. We want to create spaces where people will want to spend time in.’

The rejuvenation plan will cover a wide range of issues, he added, from footpaths to street furniture, lighting to trees, and the role of art and heritage within a townscape design.

Incorporating the ‘fanastic vista’ of two churches was essential, said Mr. Maguire, in creating an attractive place for people to spend time.

‘ There is a big opportunity to do something really special here, particularly at the area in front of and facing the Church of Ireland.’

The wide area in front of the Carroll Village apartment complex was ideal for creating a civic space where events could be held, or simply for people to stop off and relax.

He addressed concerns about pedestrianising the street entirely, saying that it is not included in the plans, as it would not work in a town like Dundalk.

But, the architect did admit that the new design features a reduced a carriageway reduced in size in order to accommodate wider pavements.

‘When you look at Clanbrassil Street now, it is an area dominated by cars, not people.’

He explained the aim was to maintain access to traffic, and for parking, but at the same time to make it a priority area for pedestrians.

Achieving that could mean changes such as raised road surfaces, and completely re-designed road crossings.

A specific focus will be placed on the Church Street area, where the aim was to increase pedestrian use while still maintaining access for traffic.

‘It really is about trying to create life in places which are currently just junctions,’ said Mr. Maguire.

The ambitious plans are not yet finalised, and there were criticisms that the works are not expected to include Bridge Street.

But the need to start the process of improving the town’s main street has been widely acknowledged by retailers.

At the Gift & Art gallery, another business which has survived through the economic challenges, the owners are anxious for change.

‘ The footpaths on the street are a huge problem, both visually and for health and safety,’ said Eilish Brady.

Reacting to plans for the carriageway to be reduced as part of the overall upgrade, she said that parking remained a key issue for customers, adding that access to parking should not be reduced.

‘Parking is so important to our customers. We do have a big car park here behind us, but it is normally full before 10am, so I really don’t think it would be feasible to take away access to parking here on the street.

The sight of ‘so many empty buildings up for sale’ was difficult for traders operating there too, said Eilish, adding that an upgrade to street would be welcome.

Although wide ranging ideas for how best to improve Clanbrassil Street and the ‘St. Nicholas quarter’ were unveiled, the local authority have stressed that it is not as yet a finished design, and was still in the consultation phase.

Indeed there are a range of agencies and other stake holders to be consulted on what will be major works programme.

The plans unveiled do offer, long awaited new hope for an undervalued resource in the town centre -it’s main street, and hope to for retailers that an improved environment will bring shoppers back.

THE AIM FOR CLANBRASSIL STREET IS TO CONTINUE THE QUALITY ACHIEVED AT MARKET SQUARE, TO BRING LIFE TO PLACES THAT ARE NOW JUNCTIONS