Chapter 10 Retail

10.0 Introduction
 

Retailing is a fundamental element of town and village centre activity and it is important that town and village centres retain retailing as a core function. Apart from direct and indirect employment, retailing plays an important role in attracting people to town centres thus contributing to overall vitality.   

Retail is a key element of the economy in terms of economic activity, employment, and the success of our towns and villages. The retail sector is the largest private sector employer in the country, employing over 13% of the workforce and indirectly supporting jobs in other areas such as logistics and distribution. The retail sector is facing many challenges including the increase in online retail and the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.  

The Development Plan must outline the level and form of retail activity appropriate to the various level of settlement and define by way of a map the boundaries of the core shopping areas. The plan must include appropriate objectives to allow for the expansion of the retail sector in a manner which protects and improves the vitality and viability of the town and village centres. 

With reference to the National, Regional and County Objectives set out in Chapter 2 of this plan, the enhancement of the retail sector will contribute to numerous goals across the three pillars of ‘sustainable healthy communities’, ‘climate action’ and ‘economic opportunity’ by: 

• Supporting the role of town and village centre as the heart of communities, where people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities can avail of services and interact within their communities;
• Enhancing the built environment by maintaining activity and driving regeneration in our town and village centres; this will promote sustainable re-use of underutilised and brownfield sites, reduce demand for greenfield development and will generate economic confidence and make settlements more attractive for employers and a skilled workforce;
• Supporting and facilitating sustainable mobility by ensuing that retail services are available locally, and can be accessible by means other than private car;
• Supporting local employment growth.

10.1 Retail Policy Context 

10.1.1 Retail Planning Guidelines (DoECLG, 2012) 

The Retail Planning Guidelines aim to ensure that the planning system continues to play a key role in supporting competitiveness and choice in the retail sector commensurate with promoting the vitality and viability of town centres. The Guidelines note the major role that shopping plays in attracting people to cities, towns and villages, emphasising that it is therefore important that these centres retain retailing as a core function and provide a diversity of shopping choice, and high quality services and amenities, for residents and visitors alike, thereby supporting their ongoing role as the focus of their regions and rural hinterlands. 
These Guidelines identify five key policy objectives: 

• Ensuring that retail development is plan-led;
• Promoting city/town centre vitality through a sequential approach to development;
• Securing competitiveness in the retail sector by actively enabling good quality development proposals to come forward in suitable locations;
• Facilitating a shift towards increased access to retailing by public transport, cycling and walking;
• Delivering quality urban design outcomes.

The objectives set out in this Plan have been prepared having regard to the guidance set out in the ‘Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (DoECLG, 2012).  

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