TU Dublin Study finds Main Street Redesign is Positive for Business & Vibrancy in Blackrock
TU Dublin Study finds Main Street Redesign is Positive for Business & Vibrancy in Blackrock
A study by TU Dublin has found that, 4 years-on from the redesign of Blackrock Main Street in Dublin, businesses are reporting that vibrancy and vitality has been restored to the village. TU Dublin was engaged by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to independently examine the medium-term impacts of the temporary redesign and reallocation of road space along Blackrock Main Street. These changes were originally brought in by the Council, in collaboration with the Blackrock Business Network, to support businesses through Covid-19.
The research involved interviewing a range of different businesses around the Main Street and village to explore their views as to how the redesigned street has performed as the years moved on after Covid. The local business representative body was also asked for their views. In the findings, the businesses particularly noted:
- noticeable improvements in footfall, street vibrancy and vitality around Blackrock Main Street;
- a better sense of atmosphere, and village feel;
- a particular appreciation of the new outdoor seating, greenery and additional trading areas;
- an active and welcoming business community where business development and building village identity are fostered; and
- an overall positive feeling towards the Covid Mobility works, a feeling that ‘it worked’, and that trading conditions through the pandemic would have been worse without it.
Speaking at the release of the study by TU Dublin, Dr. Sarah Rock of the School of Architecture, Building and Environment, who leads the study team, said:
“A clear conclusion can be drawn from this study that the original pilot street works brought in during Covid-19 has spurred on the revitalisation and regeneration of Blackrock Main Street. It has been largely welcomed by the business community who see that Blackrock ‘is on the up’ and has been restored as a ‘destination again’. The interview data shows the vast majority of businesses expressed an overall positive sentiment towards the changes. It was also clear from the interviews that leadership by the business community has been an important part of this process. The businesses in Blackrock are generally positive in their outlook and about the future of the village. They now seek to move forward with the Local Authority to transition from a temporary street layout to one with higher quality permanent footpaths and public spaces, seating areas and greenery; and to further enhance the relationship of the village to the seafront. There are also clear lessons from the study findings for other towns and villages around Ireland.’’
This study follows on from previous research by TU Dublin, including an interim evaluation conducted during the early stages of Covid-19, which also demonstrated a high level of support from local businesses.
To download a copy of the report, TU Dublin Ph3 CM Business Blackrock 0625
To download a two page summary of the report, TU Dublin - Blackrock 2025 Summary