While the sound of sleigh bells are still some way off, the ringing of cash registers is growing louder with retailers nervously optimistic about what lies ahead. The Christmas lights on Grafton Street in Dublin were turned on by children from Little Blue Heroes Foundation, a Garda charity supporting families of children with serious illnesses, on Thursday evening, with a total of 25 other streets across the city following its lead courtesy of business group Dublin Town. Richard Guiney , the group’s chief executive, said retailers he had spoken to, particularly those north of the Liffey, were “nervous” about trading with footfall down slightly on this time last year.
[ Primark expecting a good Christmas, says parent’s boss Opens in new window ] However, he said while some retailers remained “concerned” about the impact of traffic management changes implemented in September restricting the flow of cars through the city, others were upbeat about the prospect of footfall increasing over the coming weeks. Mr Guiney said “it hasn’t been a great year” to date but “fortunes can be turned around”. He recalled the concerns expressed for trade after rioting in the city centre on November 23rd last, but said “footfall was actually up in December and trade exceeded expectations” afterwards.
This is the 16th year Dublin Town has illuminated the city and Mr Guiney said the Christmas lights “are by far the biggest task we undertake for our business members and pe.