Parklet frustration as outdoor dining experience is delayed

Major delays to Newry’s first parklet scheme has caused local “frustration” over a summer time “eyesore” in the city centre. 

Permission for the outdoor dining areas was granted in December 2002 with construction started just this June.

The Business Improvement District (BID) initiative has faced a number of challenges, not least the need to renew its planning permission in early August, though it now seems a launch is “imminent”.  

Newry BID manager, Eamonn Connolly spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) saying: “I deal with the businesses in Newry every single day, so I fully understand their frustration, nobody feels it more than us as we have invested time and efforts into the parklets.

“The state of play on the parklets is that we had to renew planning permission and that took longer than expected, which has held up the launch.

“We would hope to have a launch date soon, it is imminent, but we don’t have it confirmed yet as we deal with some small print details for the handover of the parklets to the local businesses involved.”

Parklet schemes involve converting town centre parking spaces in to public outdoor seating areas to help boost local high street hospitality trade. 

The LDRS spoke to local businesses employees on the delays to the two parklets on O’Hagan Street and Hill Street.

While they wished to remain anonymous at this time, one local staff member said:”It has been a long hot summer and we were all looking forward to seeing the parklets open.

“So, it is really frustrating now that the kids are going back to school and they haven’t been opened yet.”

Another employee added: “The parklets have gone from giving local business hope to becoming a bit of an eyesore at this stage.”

However, Newry BID says it understands the “universal frustration” in the city with a launch in sight.

Connolly added: “It has been a long time coming and we are keen to get them opened and do what we can to reinvigorate the centre of Newry as all our town centres are under pressure these days. 

“There is universal frustration that the process has taken longer than hoped, but in this instance I want to commend the council planners for helping us get this over the line.

“It is unfortunate that it has taken some time, but it should be a matter of days and not weeks at this stage.”