Battle for Galway city centre hots up

"You know, for years I looked forward to it. But now that it is on the way, I'm not so happy about it anymore. What is happening to our lovely little city?" The words of one shopper in Galway last week, bemoaning change in the form of the UK multinational. Several weeks ago, after many rumours, it was confirmed that Boots, the Chemists, would be taking over a lease at Naughtons, a family firm, in Shop Street.

A few months back, officials had said it wouldn't happen. A city characterised by indigenous businesses such as Deacy's fish and vegetable shop and Hill's shoe shop would not become another clone of the average English town. If a multinational sought premises, it would have to be on the ring road approach. High street chains were not for Galway's city centre.

Sadly, that centre's fabric is under increasing threat, and most of those concerned about it attribute it to the current economic boom. Recently, a familiar leather shop was demolished on Prospect Hill; last year, another specialist trade, Sonny Molloy's drapery, was sold in High Street to make way for yet another pub.

But others believe that one simple planning decision is having a radical effect. Galway Corporation introduced pedestrianisation in late March, at a time when two car-parks had closed to make way for construction of multi-storey replacements.

When Griffin's bakery in Shop Street wanted to put in new oak shelving, it found that it had to get written permission from the Corporation.

Now run by the fourth generation, Griffins was established in 1876 and employs 30 staff in a building dating back to 1615. It trades on quality and familiarity - the personal touch extolled by Anthony and Eithne Griffin, the parents of owner Jimmy, and symbolised by the church pew in the shop where senior citizens can sit and chat.

This is where birthday and wedding cakes are ordered, without any chemical additives or preservatives or crumb softeners. Griffin's bread still goes stale, because it is made with natural fermentation. Like Naughtons, across the street - the general store where wedding presents were purchased - it commands a loyal clientele.

Jimmy Griffin is realistic, and is convinced of the need for diversification. However, he believes that the access issue cannot be underestimated. "If local authority policies make it that difficult to carry out development work on a building, we won't survive," he says.

"A certain type of store flourishes during pedestrianisation," an angry George Herterich, pork butcher, says, speaking from across the street. "This decision has changed the whole character of this town, and it is gong to have a long-term negative effect."

Mr Herterich makes all of his own products, and so most of his customers are regulars. In the first month, after cars were cleared, he didn't notice any impact.

"But then people rang up and said they had got parking tickets, and wouldn't be back, and others bought smaller orders that they could carry on their feet. The corporation put the cart before the horse here. It should have had the carparks ready before it made the change.

"Galwegians tend to be very laid back, and so perhaps we didn't shout enough about it," Mr Herterich says. "But we are not being listened to by the powers that be. This was change for change's sake, with no thought behind it. And I know at least 10 shop-owners that agree with me."

Tom Kenny of Kenny's Bookshop and Art Gallery in High Street can see how it is affecting certain outlets - the food shops in particular. He believes another by-product of pedestrianisation is increased pressure on ring-road traffic. "The quickest way for some people to the Galway Races this year was through the town centre, which is quite extraordinary.

"In 25 years, Galway's population has trebled, and at a speed that people are only adjusting to yet. One can cling too fondly to memory, but at the same time one must never underestimate the familiarity sought by the customer," Mr Kenny says, remembering the fuss generated by his own shop's refurbishment.

"To be honest, there wasn't any character about Naughtons, but there won't be much nostalgia about Boots. I just hope they make an interesting architectural facade." Anthony Ryan of Ryan's drapery in Shop Street believes that the city centre is a much more comfortable place to shop.

A third-generation director of his firm, his label is on most of the school uniforms in Galway. He employs 110 staff, including 47 full-time, and the 90-year-old premises is currently expanding.

"I am sorry to see Naughtons closing," he says. "But competition is the lifeblood of any retail business." Car-parking is a problem, he concedes. "But if you are prepared to pay, it is always there." He is "delighted" at the prospect of Boots across the way. "And if Marks and Spencers does come to Galway, I hope it is to the city centre. Yes, one can stand in any British high street and wonder where you are. But that is the world we live in. You can't stop change."