In support of the proposal
Proposed Variation 5 to KCEDP
WH Good Ltd
88 & 90 High Street
Kilkenny
On behalf of the Company and our staff, we very much welcome the possibility of additional car parking spaces being opened in the city centre.
The reasons for this are as follows:
1. Footfall in the city centre has declined over the past number of years for a variety of reasons.
2. One of the reasons is the lack of suitable and adequate parking. Along with that, many of our customers find multi-story car parks difficult. Additional parking on the level would be a significant addition and attraction for the city.
3. The closure of Winston’s and Heaton’s along with vacant premises is a huge concern and reflects the real struggle businesses face to keep going. As destination shops close in the city centre, the lack of a critical mass becomes all the more significant.
4. The increase in rates, the rise of online shopping, the growth of out-of-town shopping centres, to name but a few, pose an additional threat to the ongoing viability of the city centre.
5. Shopping is very much part of the tourism offering and that is a further reason why accessible parking needs to be increased.
We, as a Company, like many others, are very concerned about protecting the jobs that are in our business and in all of the city centre.
For these reasons, we support the proposed Variation 5.
Heidi Good
Director