Tralee Chamber Frustrated At Town’s Exclusion From Outdoor Dining Scheme

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TRALEE Chamber has expressed its “extreme dissatisfaction” that the town has been excluded from the Outdoor Dining Scheme, details of which were revealed today.

Failte Ireland announced that the new Outdoor Dining Scheme will focus on Dublin, Kilkenny, Killarney, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Cork and Athlone but hospitality businesses from other locations, including Kerry, are excluded from the scheme.

“The understanding from early consultation was that this scheme was to be available to all towns in Ireland,” said Ken Tobin of Tralee Chamber.

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“No prior consultation occurred with stakeholders that would have indicated the scheme was going to be limited to a short-list of locations. We are today writing to Minister Martin and Failte Ireland to express our extreme dissatisfaction that Tralee has once again been excluded from vital funding.

“Our Tourism and Hospitality sector in Tralee are vital to the reemergence of our town from Covid19. Tralee, A destination town, and capital of county Kerry is ideally primed to support outdoor dining spaces with our extensive public realm spaces, town square, and pedestrianised streets.

“The provision of outdoor dining spaces for our pubs and restaurants in Tralee has been highlighted as a key project since mid-2020. The businesses of the town centre through Tralee Chamber have called for financial supports time and time again to animate our town centre.

“During the earlier phases when hospitality reopened for business considerable effort was made to facilitate outdoor dining in Tralee, this fund would have enabled covered spaces to be designed and installed in the town to allow the public to enjoy our town throughout the year.

“With in excess of €250million unspent in the Failte Ireland Stay and Spend scheme, we will be seeking an expansion of the Dining Grant and all future funds for the Night-Time recovery funds to include Key Towns, but specifically Tralee,” concluded Mr Tobin.

One Comment

  1. Matty O'Leary says:

    Tralee does not exploit it’s urban geography like other urban areas.
    I have seen Galway, Kilkenny and even Sligo do far better.
    Planners need to develop specific areas, like Temple bar in Dublin.

    Tralee has a couple of more or less derelict or undeveloped areas which could easily be transformed to jewels in it’s crown, just like Dublin dome with Temple bar. The courthouse lane is just one area. Recent events even play well with the opportunity of removing the historic courthouse if the court services is moved. The are can be transformed and pedestrianised.

    But, sadly the people in charge often lack vision, ability or have vested interests or no real interest at all!

    Tralee needs to wake up.

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