Letter to the Editor: Excellent description of the state of affairs of Waterford retail
Waterford's quayside.
Dear Editor,
My goodness...At last, what an excellent description of the state of affairs regarding Waterford as a shopping city centre. I commend the Phoenix ('It has not worked', Phoenix, July 14, 2026) for such a truthful, well-written piece.
Everything written is so true, Waterford has so much going for it and it just keeps making the same mistakes, and for the life of me I cannot understand.
Kilkenny is a hive of industry, a complete and utter buzz, it's keeping its old style buildings and making them statement pieces, incorporating and inventing new ideas within. Cork also is thriving and continually progressing but holding its old antiquated buildings and bringing them tastefully into where they are today.
Waterford is a magnificent city with so much potential but it just moves with one step forward, two steps back. Such a shame, Ferrybank Shopping Centre at last goes ahead, and waterford should entice those shoppers to come into the city of Waterford, not give out about taking away business from the centre.
Waterford has great potential, look at the growth of it, housing constructions popping up all over and yet its centre is not as inviting as it could be.
Ok, along the quay front is beginning to take shape, but use it to its advantage, avail of its beautiful river views, little old-fashioned quirky styles, follow the beautiful murals being painted, maybe little mobile shopping hubs along the river front.
The murals are fabulous, can they not be intertwined some way on the river front?
I could continue but I just totally agree with the Pheonix... I've never written in before but it got me on a roll because it was so true. Well done and thank you.
Rachael Power,
Waterford city
