Sir, - Ms Laura Megahy's reply to Frank McDonald's article has demonstrated to all what the retailers of Temple Bar already knew. Temple Bar Properties has deserted its commitment to retail. in the area - if it ever had one.
Ms Megahy has vigorously defended the pubs against Mr. McDonald's criticisms. She goes into great detail about daytime activities, various courses, conferences Colombian troupes etc, but her silence on the problems in retailing, outlined by Mr. McDonald, is deafening. That Ms Megahy has chosen to omit retail from her reply is ominous for retailers in the area.
Her parting words are that "Temple Bar is a bustling, cultural, residential and small business precinct", but this is pure hype. The small daytime business know that this "bustle" starts after they have gone home and ends before they get up.
I, like many retailers in the area, was convinced by the hype, but the reality is very different. - Yours etc.,
About Face,
Temple Lane, Dublin 2.