Council moves to vacate Ballymun Shopping Centre

DUBLIN City Council is aiming to vacate Ballymun Shopping Centre by the end of the year.

Council officials are currently negotiating with remaining tenants in an effort to fully empty the centre, which is earmarked for demolition.

However, the council say demolition will only take place if the current negotiations with tenants are concluded successfully.

“The council has commenced a process of engagement with the remaining tenants in the shopping centre with a view to achieving vacant possession,

? a spokesperson said.

“Any proposals to demolish the buildings in due course will be dependent upon obtaining full vacant possession.

?

It’s understood the council is trying to help source possible alternative accommodation for tenants keen to stay in the area.

Ballymun councillor, Noeleen Reilly (SF), said the news won’t really come as a surprise but added that it was important that a new centre be built.

“I suppose residents have always expected the shopping centre to close at some stage but certainly not without a replacement,

? she said.

“It beggars belief that with a population the size of Ballymun, there is very little commercial activity in the area. This of course has a knock on affect on employment and the local economy.

“Residents have to leave Ballymun to shop in neighbouring areas as their needs are not being met locally. At the moment you can’t even buy a pair of socks in the area.

“We are approaching the end of the regeneration period and we must ensure that we are not left with the legacy of a derelict town centre.

?

Earlier this summer Dublin City Council confirmed it had taken full control of Ballymun Shopping Centre from NAMA.

At the time Assistant City Manager with Dublin City Council Dick Brady, said:

“This acquisition, working with existing tenants of the centre, along with placing on the market a site just to the north of the existing centre which will hopefully secure a major retail outlet, will create the conditions necessary to advance the complete redevelopment of the site and the completion of a new modern heart for Ballymun town.

?

The decline of the centre has been a major blight on the Ballymun Regeneration Project. While new homes, parks and hotels were being built around it the heart of the area was decaying at an alarming rate.

Last March Tesco, the last major retailer in the centre, announced it was pulling out as the store was no longer viable.

The creation of a vibrant town centre was one of the key aims of the Regeneration but plans became bogged down in planning difficulties and financial problems that dragged on for over a decade.