Kildare town market ‘is at risk of extinction’, councillor says

The market at Kildare town 'seems to be approaching extinction.'

That’s according to Fine Gael councillor Mark Stafford, who made the comments at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting on Wednesday, May 17.

He motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to 'conduct a review of the impact of the introduction of Casual Trading Bye-Laws on the Thursday market in Kildare Town, through engagement with all of the relevant stakeholders including members of the public.'

Cllr Stafford further said at the meeting that while the market has survived for centuries, he is worried that the Bye-Laws, which he said he opposed since their introduction.

He told KCC: "The purpose of this motion is to seek engagement with stallholders regarding the Bye-Laws, as well as the general public.

Cllr Mark Stafford

"Unless we take action shortly, the market may no longer be there, and it would be a shame to see its demise," he added.

In response to his motion, KCC noted in its report: "A review of the impact of the Casual Trading Bye Laws adopted by the members in May 2022, and commenced in September 2022, is problematic without baseline data on the ‘before’ position and clarity on what precisely the members wish to measure in a review."

LACK OF RESOURCES

Commenting on the topic of enforcing the Bye-Laws, a KCC representative present at the meeting pointed to the issue of resources within the gardaí.

However, they also said that the council is working on a report examining the effects of the Bye-Laws, and would send it to members once it is completed.

KCC also noted in its report on the Bye-Laws: "As flagged in the statutory consultation report (which was shared with members in May 2022), and as discussed in Strategic Policy Committees and briefings.

"While the Bye-Laws are a starting point to enhance quality, without the measures needed to build upon the platform that the Bye-Laws represent such as Public Realm works, regulation of car parking on Market Square/other parking provision, some pedestrianisation and a focussed resource to promote the potential of our public spaces (especially our many Market Squares), a less optimum economic outcome will occur."

KCC added: "It is however acknowledged that progresson on these matters is ongoing, with some measures imminent, and delivery of the measures will support the growth of a good quality market, that can become an economic driver for the town."