Re: Re: Grafton Street

It is possible under the SPCS of O’Connell Street (as with all SPCSs one would assume) in the form of forced change of use rather than termination of lease as far as I know – presumably sub-letting would come into play in such a case. It seems its a tactic they are reluctant to use.
I wouldn’t say it is too late to change things but agreed that Grafton Street has been allowed get out of hand for far too long. As usual response-led tactics are the order of the day…

What I’d like to know about Grafton Street is why is it such a busy thoroughfare? It’s not particularly near the central business district of Baggot St/Merrion Square, nor are stores that populate its length any more appealing than elsewhere in the city. Are people just naturally drawn to the place as a popular route though the city, or is it the fact that it’s a pedestrianised street that makes it seem more busy to the average eye than it really is? (though obviously statistically it is).

I can never understand why the place is so busy, nor why people would want to avail of the majority of its shops: they’re busier then elsewhere, probably more expensive, and nothing particularly special. It seems that it just happens to be sited on a natural nodal point of sorts in the city, where pedestrian activity overlaps and intensifies. Or is it a combination of the various factorsmentioned above?
I don’t know – other than I tend to avoid the place like the Plague; can rarely see the appeal of it at all.