The meeting of the South Anne Street traders took place after the shops and businesses had closed on Friday evening. Reverend Lewis, the rector of St Anne’s Church, was an affable and easygoing host, making them all feel welcome as they streamed in and helped themselves to tea and coffee. Damien Quinn, who owned the deli, provided sandwiches for everyone. Ellie was delighted to see that Mo Brady and a few of their local councillors were present.
‘Work has already begun on the development of the galleria and hotel on our street,’ announced Frank Farrell, first to speak, his face serious. Farrell Antiques was a longstanding family firm and one of the oldest on the street. ‘Some of these buildings have been vacant for years and from looking at the plans and the photomontages, this new scheme could be a big improvement. However, what does concern and worry us is that Casey Coleman Holdings are now seeking to extend their scheme. They seem to be trying to buy up the shops adjacent to their site, and to attain as many properties on the opposite side of the street from the new galleria as possible. There are even rumours that they intend to open a large retail store across from the galleria. They are looking for planning extensions, and all kinds of permissions. Changes on this scale would have huge ramifications for those of us still trading.’
‘The thing is,’ said Scottie O’Loughlin, getting to his feet, ‘most of us here tonight want to stay on in the street. We are not interested in relocating, or retiring and closing down. These are our businesses that we have worked hard to build up over the years. We need to let the City Council, Casey Coleman Holdings, the planning department, the government, landlords, whoever it is that matters, know that we are not going anywhere. We are staying.’
He got huge applause and support. Ellie smiled, knowing that at least they were all united in wanting the same thing.
‘We need to show the council and the planning people that we object to what they are doing,’ Damien Quinn added. ‘That we should be involved and consulted about what is going on in the street where we own our properties. Most of us owned our properties long before Casey Coleman Holdings arrived.’
‘Hear, hear!’
‘But we’ve already written and objected, phoned, done everything we can,’ said Kitty Kavanagh. ‘All to no avail.’
‘Maybe we should protest?’ suggested Gary Murphy from the art and print shop. ‘It might get us noticed.’
‘We could march on the Dail,’ suggested Leo from the Italian restaurant.
‘Please may I say a few words,’ interrupted Mo Brady. ‘I don’t know if you realize how many marches there are on the Dail every month. Unless you have a crowd of thousands that will stop traffic and bring the city to a standstill, there is absolutely no point in a march. I can tell you that.’
They could all sense the disappointment in the room, as there was no way a few shopkeepers could rally such massive support.
‘What about if we staged a protest directly outside the Dail and government buildings?’
‘There are protests almost every day,’ Mo added. ‘Obviously some get more notice and news coverage than others. If you want to save your street, you need to do something different, something newsworthy.’
‘We could close up our shops for a day,’ suggested Kitty Kavanagh, ‘in protest.’
‘But sure, what good will that do?’ asked Scottie O’Loughlin. ‘People won’t care if we close for a day or go on strike.’
‘We need to bring more people into the street, not send them away,’ argued Ellie.
‘We need to attract crowds if we want to save our street. Let them know why we want to keep businesses like ours open.’
‘The street is closed off to traffic already during opening hours, so maybe we should use that? Think of all the pedestrians who are on our street every day, passing through to get to Grafton Street,’ urged Damien.
‘What can we do?’ A rumble of questions went up around the room.
‘We can show them what we do,’ said Gary. ‘I spend my day framing pictures, posters, photographs. I already have some displayed outside the door, but I could put my table outside too. Talk to anyone who’s interested about some of the beautiful prints and pieces we have and how I work.’
‘People are always interested in antiques,’ mused Frank Farrell. ‘Finding out how old things are, if they are antique and of course if they are valuable.’
‘Like that programme on the TV,’ joked Sissy Kavanagh. ‘Kitty and I love it.’
‘I suppose I’d be prepared to sit at a table outside the shop for a day and people could bring their pieces for me to look at, no valuation charge for getting my expert opinion.’
‘And I could demonstrate how to trim a summer hat,’ offered Ellie.
‘Well, this certainly sounds a bit different,’ applauded Mo. ‘Think of the crowds and the publicity it would get!’
‘I have those kites you put together and those lovely new blue sailboats that need a bit of work,’ joked Scottie, getting into the swing of things. ‘And a few of those free bubble-blowers should go down a treat with the kids.’
‘We could demonstrate how to make proper pasta. Make a perfect pizza, give some free samples,’ offered Leo and his wife Andrea.
Nearly everyone on the street agreed that they had something they could do.
‘Will we be closing for the day?’ asked Noel Hanratty, who ran the small jeweller’s.
‘Yes,’ said Frank firmly.
‘So we have to close up and have no sales?’
‘Better no sales and goodwill for a day than closed up for good,’ said Scottie seriously. ‘We have to give this a shot.’
Noel had no intention of putting his precious stones and valuable diamonds on display but did agree to show how to clean and polish jewellery and advise on redesigning old, outdated pieces.
Councillor Richard Doyle took the floor. ‘I promise, along with my colleagues here, to raise your concerns about these important issues with the council.’
They agreed that their South Anne Street Day would be held on a busy August Saturday. Newspapers and TV and radio programmes would be informed of the traders’ attempt to highlight what small businesses like theirs did to keep the streets of the city alive.
‘What will we do if it rains?’ asked Sissy.
‘We need sunshine and blue skies,’ insisted Frank as they began to talk about hiring tables and maybe some parasols.
‘We shall all pray for clement weather,’ added the Revd Lewis as the meeting broke up.