Street's closure leads to retailer's quietest Christmas in 23 years

A BANDON business owner has described this Christmas as her quietest in 23 years, due to the fact that part of Oliver Plunkett St, where she is located, is closed off following a building collapse earlier this month.

Margaret Daly, who owns ‘Margaret’s An Siopa Bearbóir’ nearby told The Southern Star that since the street was closed off by Cork County Council people have been avoiding going there.

‘There is just no footfall at all, as people think the street is closed but it can be accessed from the other side and there is parking available too. Access for pedestrians is, however, difficult as they will have to walk around to access us,’ said Margaret.

‘We want to get the message out that my business and my neighbours’, including La Modeliste, Munster Arms Hotel and The Crawford Bar, are all open for business.’

Margaret was highly critical, too, of the lack of communication between Cork County Council and the businesses on the street, which she described as a ‘disaster.’

‘We don’t know anything and we’re not being told anything either. The first time anyone came to me from the Council was on December 19th when an engineer came in and took pictures of my place.

This was almost two weeks after the building had collapsed and all the information we have now is the street will remain closed until January 12th.’

Following the building collapse, Margaret brought in her own engineer to inspect her premises, such was her fear for her own building.

‘I’m just hoping that this doesn’t go on for months as it will be a disaster for my business,’ added Margaret.

A Cork County Council spokesperson said that they were required to close part of the street in order to protect the public.

‘This decision was necessitated following indications that a building on the street was damaged and presented a risk to the public and road users. The building has since deteriorated further and continues to pose a risk to the public.’

They added that the Council will open the road once the risk from the damaged building has been mitigated and the road and footpath are safe.

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