Great George's Street businesses call for more sparkle to their Christmas lighting from Council

Businesses on Great George's Street have criticised the council for a perceived lack of investment in Christmas lighting.

In the coming weeks, Christmas lighting will span over O’Connell Street and adjoining areas.

Great George's Street, tucked in the cultural quarter, will bear the pre-existing festoon lighting. 

Michael Watchorn, a shareholder in J&K Walsh Victorian Spirit Grocer, T&H Doolan's and the Virgin Media Store on Great George's Street, hung fairy lights outside of his establishments in protest.

Mr Watchorn said the support SMEs receive from the council is in disproportion to the county's relatively high commercial rates of .02798 AVR (Annual Rate on Valuation). 

Mr Watchorn said businesses were “being robbed blind” by the council.

“If you took the lights off of Grafton Street, what would happen? Nobody would go there," he said. 

Waterford City and County Council said the Economic Department was dealing with requests for upgraded Christmas lighting.

“The Council must provide a broad range of services to the citizens of Waterford and there are constant challenges with cost increases, managing budgets and delivering good quality services,” a statement from the council said.

“The budget for Christmas lights covers installation, maintenance, storage and some improvements. We tender this service every three years and, unfortunately, the costs have increased, making it difficult to deliver this service within the budget and this limits our scope to upgrade Christmas lights.”

The council said lighting on Great George's Street and Gladstone Street will be improved, involving the replacement of standard lights and the installation of 15 decorative snowflakes.

“These improvements will complement the City of Light projection on to 3-4 George's Street, which is a significant enhancement and the Winterval market stalls, train and other activities, which will create a great atmosphere in the area,” the Council said. 

"Mr Watchorn has been advised of this."

Business owners on Great George's Street chimed in with their own discontent.

“I feel that we're being left behind compared to other parts of the city, and this should be the lifeblood of the city…I've been on the street for 37 years, and the idea of there not being lights for Christmas just seems ludicrous,” said John Palmer, owner of John Palmer Music Centre.

“There's a certain amount of footfall in the city centre anyway, and it's not that I'd see a major increase in footfall, but it just makes the street look a bit dull. 

"It's very backwards-looking compared to other streets to the east and to the west of us.

“It's not the route that we want to go down. I think we’re paying the same rates, the same amount of money should be put into this street as the other streets around town.”

“I think it's very unfair,” said Gemma Roche, a manager at Pamela Scott.

“We're bringing the businesses in, the people are coming in, but we're not getting anything back. 

"I mean, you're coming so far. And then you look up this way, there's nothing. You might say, 'I won't go up that way'. You turn around and go back.

“We’re giving the money (in commercial rates). They're not giving anything back…we're forgotten about pretty much.”