Councillor urges plan to revive Bedford Row after shop closures

Fianna Fáil councillor Catherine Slattery has called on Mayor John Moran to produce a proactive plan to replace businesses that have recently closed on Bedford Row.

Slattery raised the issue at the full Limerick City and County Council meeting in September, questioning the Mayor on what specific actions will be taken, who will deliver them and when measurable results can be expected.

The concern follows the summer closures of Diesel Limerick and Central Shoes, and the earlier loss of a Dealz branch, leaving a noticeable vacancy gap, particularly in the modern building on one side of the pedestrian street.

Mayor Moran acknowledged the problem and said the vacancy appears linked to that specific building rather than the street as a whole. He suggested any Bedford Row plan should be integrated into a broader City Centre Retail Strategy aimed at strengthening the city centre, attracting investment and supporting existing retailers.

Slattery concluded that, in her view, no significant initiatives have been implemented in the past 18 months to boost vibrancy on Bedford Row.

Source: Limerick Post. Photo: JV Gardens / Pexels.