Zoom meeting to focus on Wexford town re-opening

COUNCIL AND CHAMBER TO COLLABORATE ON CHANGES NEEDED TO HELP BUSINESS

A RE-ROUTING of traffic, a oneway system on footpaths and an extension of pedestrianisation are among the proposals being considered for the re-opening of Wexford town as Wexford Chamber prepares to host a town hall meeting via Zoom with all interested business owners.

The CEO of County Wexford Chamber Fiona Lewis said Wexford County Council has indicated its willingness to work with them to ensure that the needs of the business community are addressed in the re-opening the town under Covid-19 health safety measures.

‘They are willing to discuss a variety of possibilities including a re-routing of traffic, pedestrianisation and potentially creating a one-way system on footpaths’, said Fiona.

‘The emphasis here has to be making the town centre an attractive and welcoming place for shoppers and ensuring that customers feel safe while at the same time sustaining businesses.

‘What is needed is an openness to change and an understanding that this is an immediate response to an emergency situation’, she said.

Wexford Chamber has just launched a report called ‘Reviving Wexford’, based on a survey of business owners and their views on what the desired requirements are for recovery, and is aiming to get a head start on spreading the message that ‘Wexford is Open’.

‘The report indicates that people want to return to opening their businesses and they want to do it safely. We have to look at new ways of doing business, to comply with social distancing and in order to do that we have to make changes,’ said the Chamber CEO.

The Chamber is planning to hold separate town hall meetings via Zoom with local authority representatives in Wexford, New Ross and Gorey, on dates to be announced, to discuss concerns and suggestions that people involved in the retail, hospitality and service sectors would like to have considered by the Council.

Members and non-members are invited to join in – the only requirement is that you must register your interest in advance by emailing info@ wexfordchamber.ie.

‘The Council have assured me that there is no intention to unilaterally impose any changes which would not be in the best interests of the business community. This is a collaboration.

‘This is a response to the current emergency. It’s not a long-term solution,’ said Fiona.