Business community
David Brennan, on board of directors of the Dublin City Business Association
I think the city is faring extremely well given the circumstances. The city can lead the economy and the country’s recovery but with the resources necessary. If you look at tourism figures internationally, they specifically state that growth is capital-driven and events-driven.
If we had more money put aside to promote our city we could do better because our attractions here work so well as it is. “So I think Dublin needs considerably more funding. It’s a no-brainer, you have to have a driver of any engine, and that driver has to be Dublin.”
Retail
Bob Johnston, owner of Gutter Bookshop, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
As the owner of a small business which set up three years ago in the middle of the recession, we’re finding that although times are tough, the downturn has brought positivity in terms of people doing what they want.
I’m very positive about the future. For all the negativity about independent bookshops not being able to survive and so on, the thing is if you’re passionate about what you do, and work hard at it, there’s enough people who will go along with you. You need to look for opportunities, listen to your customers and adapt. Nobody knows what the future holds, but fingers crossed we’ll keep going. There are a lot of positive aspects to what’s going on, and there is a real ‘give it a go’ spirit in Dublin right now.
Catering
Michelle Darmody, owner of Cake Cafe, Dublin 8
In the business I’m in, which is food, people seem to be looking for value for money, which is being provided. I live in Stoneybatter, and there’s a lot much more stuff going on in that area, a bring-your-own-beer thing or a gig for a few euro. I am very aware that a lot of younger people are leaving obviously, and they are people who could mould the city, so I think a lot of the future is about whether they’ll come back. The future is bright. Dubliners and Irish people are very resourceful. Though there are hardships, other things are making up for them.
Nightlife
John Brereton, events manager, Grand Social, Dublin 1
“A lot of things were promised to the city and shelved; Metro North should still go ahead, and I was really hopeful about the idea of a directly elected mayor. I know my livelihood depends on drinks sales but there should be other things to do. There are only a couple of playgrounds in the city. There are a lot of parts of the city that are criminally underused.
Things like the umbrellas in Meeting House Square are brilliant, but they should also have been put in Smithfield instead of those fires.
We need to think about long-term planning for people to enjoy the city, so that if it rains in the summer we have more covered spaces. ”