Cork Chamber prepared a joint submission with the CBA which identified a number of concerns and made specific recommendations based on feedback from our members regarding key issues that need to be addressed to ensure that the Strategy is responsive to the requirements of the retail sector and operates in ways which sustain and enhance the retail environment.

Key recommendations in our submission include:

• A comprehensive strategy which clearly articulates a vision of the retail environment that is envisaged for Cork
• Integration and alignment of inter-related strategies such as the Cork City Movement Strategy and City Centre Strategy to ensure a consistent, cohesive and focused approach to strategy development and implementation
• A commitment to identify and implement collaborative retail environment improvement schemes/initiatives to promote and improve the trading environment in partnership with the retail sector
• Further elaboration and specific guidance on how vacancies in existing retail units may be addressed to support the Strategy’s proposal to reduce the vacancy rate by 50%
• Implementation of a diverse retail mix in the City Centre to address the requirement for larger floor space units whilst simultaneously encouraging independent boutiques/retail stores 
• Regular review and evaluation of the Retail Strategy to ensure that it is addressing and responding to the needs of the retail environment i.e. establishing a Retail Forum with representatives from both Councils, the Chamber, the CBA and other key retail representatives to monitor and review the status of the retail environment and retail strategy

For more information and to view all of our recommendations for the Retail Strategy click here