Clare retailers hit by lure of Limerick

CLARE is being used as a “pawn” in a retail row between Limerick City and County, with the Mid-West Regional Authority leaving the county’s retail sector short, it has been claimed. At this week’s meeting of Clare County Council there were calls from one councillor for the authority to take their “hands off Clare”.
Councillor PJ Kelly urged the Mid-West Regional Authority to adopt retail policies that are “friendly” to rural Clare.
He commented, “We are falling behind Cork and Limerick. Efforts are being made to benefit retail in Limerick at the expense of County Clare.”
He went on, “We need to say hands off and let the people of Clare be able to buy goods where they want to shop… There is a problem there for Limerick and they have to sort it out but not at the expense of the people of Clare.”
Meanwhile, Councillor Cathal Crowe stated that Clare and North Tipperary are being “sucked into” the regional strategy.
“This is a real problem in South Clare; Limerick City and County are in conflict. The city objects to county shopping and vice versa. There is a doughnut effect there, but we are being used as pawns. I understand why the city wants to protect shopping in its area but we are being dragged into this.”
He went on, “Limerick is trying to put the kybosh on what is going on in other areas. They have a cavalier attitude.
“They are looking at their own interests and to hell with the rest of us.”