Following from the spate of business closures in Naas town over the past few months, I have lent my support to a call by Naas Traders for free parking times in Naas town. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage customers back in to the town centre.

It is obvious that something has to be done, and urgently, to bring business back into the town and I fully support the Naas traders in their efforts to lobby for change. Having being speaking to many of the retailers there is an urgency about the situation which I hope is shared by the Town Council when they meet to discuss this petition. I’m not a member of the Town Council myself but I will be seeking election to the new Municipal Council which will replace it next year and I think this is such an important issue.

Naas town has a proud tradition as a market town and incentives are rapidly needed to allow it restore that. I hope the council will take a pro-active, engaged stance and tackle all these issues in joint manner in conjunction with the traders and other such groups.

The submission also calls upon the private operators which is key as their clamping can be trigger happy and is lethal to business. It’s not an issue for the general public who owns what car park, they just need to know can they get a space, near the shops, at convenience.

Fianna Fáil recently produced a policy document promoting supports for struggling business, a new rates system, incentives for ‘in the town’ developments and a stop to upwards-only rent reviews. I’d love to see some of these policies applied in Naas Town.

I also raised this issue previously when M&S closed.