Kilkenny Chamber share their views on Tesco arrival
CEO of Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce John Hurley gave his views to the Kilkenny People
CEO of the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, John Hurley has sounded cautious support for Tesco’s intention to build two new stores in Kilkenny City.
Tesco Ireland recently revealed that its new store on High Street will open mid-October.
Meanwhile, the supermarket giant confirmed it also intends to submit planning for a new store at the former Mart site.
Subject to planning approval, the site will include new car parking facilities, the provision of Click+Collect services for customers, and include a Grocery Home Shopping hub to serve the wider catchment of County Kilkenny.
"The Kilkenny Chamber has been keeping a very close eye on this for the past number of months," Mr Hurley told the Kilkenny People.
"We’ve had at least two meetings with senior executives from Tesco over the last 12 months and they did come and do a presentation to the Board of Kilkenny Chamber last September," Mr Hurley added.
There have been concerns from local business people and public representatives about the supermarket giant’s arrival locally.
Labour’s Seán Ó hArgáin expressed fears that the supermarket’s presence may have negative consequences for smaller local traders.
"At the end of the day what the Chamber wants is what’s best for Kilkenny," Mr Hurley commented in response to local concern.
"A huge proportion of the Chamber membership is the smaller, indigenous family owned businesses, so everything I’ve said really depends on what Tesco has got in mind," he said, adding they will need to fit into Kilkenny’s business plans and not vice versa.
"It’s something that the chamber would be very positive about but it depends on what form of Tesco and what have they got in mind," Mr Hurley stated.
"It (Tesco Express) would be a really good addition to the High Street, offering to have an express form of a Tesco shop. It is something that would tend to draw more people into the town," he said, adding, 'it sounds good' but that more details are required before making a full judgement.
Similar questions remain for the old mart site but with child care facilities, homes and other facilities also set to be built, Mr Hurley is hopeful of Tesco’s new dawn