STRUGGLING traders on the Southside fear they could
lose millions of euros in lost revenue if current proposals for a high profile
Formula One motor race event go ahead.
The Bavaria City race, which is scheduled for Sunday,
June 3, will involve shutting down certain areas of the city.
Traders in Temple Bar claim they stand to lose 40 per
cent of their weekend takings if Dublin City Council does not revise existing
routes for the race.
Martin Harte, the managing director of the Temple Bar
Traders’ Association, said businesses in the area are concerned about the
proposals to close down large sections of Temple Bar for a 39-hour period over
the June Bank Holiday Weekend.
“I have spoken to a lot of hoteliers and publicans and
other service providers in that area who are really concerned,
? he said.
“In a
worst case scenario people might not have access to Fleet Street or Anglesea
Street or the eastern section of Temple Bar.
?
Mr Harte said the current proposal for the race would
involve the closure of large sections of Temple Bar and surrounding areas
including Dame Street, College Green, Foster Place and College Green from 6pm
on Saturday, June 2 until 9am the following Monday.
“Hoteliers are concerned that their guests won’t be
able to access their hotels,
? he said.
“They expect something in the region of
about 1,000 people to stay in the eastern section of Temple Bar over the course
of the weekend because there are a lot of hotels there.
“They are saying that up to 40 per cent of their
weekly trade is done on Saturday evenings. If this event prevents people from
accessing the area then you could be looking at 40 per cent of their trade
being affected. That could equate to a lot of money over the bank holiday
weekend.
?
Southside People has also seen correspondence sent by
the CEO of Arnotts, Nigel Blow, to Dublin City Manager, John Tierney, on the
issue. Mr Blow warned that traders in the city centre would lose millions of
euros if the race goes ahead in its current form.
During the race Formula One cars will follow a
designated track via key landmarks from the Convention Centre to Custom House
Quay, travelling across Butt Bridge and onto D’Olier Street, and around College
Green, passing Trinity College.
They will then turn in front of the Central Bank and
onto Westmoreland Street and O’Connell Bridge before travelling back along the
quays and returning to the main paddock at the Conference Centre.
The race is expected to attract in the region of
150,000 fans into the city centre for the event that will see top Formula One
racing drivers, including Jenson Button taking part. Organisers say it will be
free for 96 per cent of spectators.
Cllr Mannix Flynn (Ind) called on the council to
consult with local businesses on the matter.
“The city council has not consulted with councillors
or local businesses about the event,
? he claimed.
“Businesses are going to lose
an enormous amount of money if this event goes ahead in its current form. I
have been trying to get clarity on this for months.
?
A spokesperson for the city council said the event
organisers were making every effort to minimise traffic and pedestrian
disruption over the weekend.
“It should also be noted that the event organisers
have made themselves available for meetings at all times to the various
business groups within the city to try to resolve any issues raised,
? the
spokesperson said.
“It is accepted that there will be a certain amount of
disruption in the city during the course of the event.
?
In addition, the spokesperson said it was the
council’s opinion that the event will lead to widespread commercial gain
“both
on the weekend of the event itself and long into the future
?.