Fury from staff over parking fees proposal

PROPOSALS to introduce paid parking for staff at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre has led to backlash amongst retail workers this week.

The proposals, which are currently under consideration by management at the centre, could see a charge of €780 per year for staff (a flat rate of €4 per day, €65 monthly).

Currently the centre, with approximately 1,200 staff, has free parking for staff and customers, but that is set to change by the end of September.

Customers are facing a €2.50 charge for the frist hour and the next two hours free.

Gemma O’Brien, who works at Peter Marks in Liffey Valley, said staff she has talked to at other retail units, have said they will not be able to afford to continue working at the centre if the proposal as it stands, comes to pass.

“You would have to earn €1,000 to €1,200 before tax, to pay this charge. This has led to huge concerns about losing staff and the ability of retailers to attract new staff,” said Gemma.

“Liffey Valley’s attitude towards staff is they should car-pool or get public transport, but that isn’t possible for everyone.

“I live in Meath, a small village, and would have to walk half an hour to get a bus, and then walk home at night when it is dark – there is a bridge beside Liffey Valley with anti-social problems.

“Women staff often have to walk to the back of the car-park at night after work to their car with no security around.”

A spokesperson for Liffey Valley SC cited a €30m works programme, currently underway, which is aimed at delivering enhancements to the car-parks and approaches to the centre.

They say this will offer more sustainable travel options in line with local authority guidance and Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy requirements, and is part of any sector remit towards sustainability with regard to upgrade works.

A core element they say, is the new BusConnects facility which opened on site – a six-bay bus arrival and departure facility.

The spokesperson said a €2.50 charge will apply to customers for the first hour of parking with the next two hours free, and a “significantly discounted rate available to those working at the centre which is still under consideration.”

Gemma previously worked in The Square, Tallaght, where staff pay €100 per year for parking, and the first two hours for customers are free.

“The €2.50 charge for customers will punish people dropping by for a quick message. Smaller pharmacies don’t have all the medicine in store, people have to go to a bigger place like Boots in Liffey Vallley, and if it doesn’t have all their prescription that day, they might have to return the next. On top of all other increasing costs, it is a hard pill to swallow.”

She said there are also concerns that staff may not have a guaranteed parking spot, something which has yet to be confirmed by the centre.

Ms O’Brien said questions still remain for issues like what this will mean for contract/seasonal staff, and if her car broke down, would her husband’s car be recognised in the payment scheme.

TD Mark Ward (SF) who is working with staff at the centre, said the retail sector is one of the lowest paid, and the proposed fees in their current guise, will “push people into financial difficulty”.

“The cost of living crisis is the biggest issue coming to my door right now. Any additional bill for any family is pushing them over the edge. I have never referred as many people to food banks as I have done recently.

“A lot of people start work at 5 or 6am, but they wouldn’t feel safe on the street at that time. I think Liffey Valley is modelling this on Dundrum, but Liffey Valley is not Dundrum. The Square is €100 a year for staff parking and a guaranteed spot,” said Deputy Ward.

The spokesperson for Liffey Valley SC said there has been “increasingly negative feedback from customers about the parking experience” and a separate ongoing issue with non-shoppers regularly occupying parking bays for very long periods

“There was therefore a real need for a revised parking management plan that not only catered to the increased demand but also delivered on our obligation to introduce more sustainable ways for people to access Liffey Valley,” they said.

“A core objective of this programme of works is to provide real and more sustainable travel options for those coming to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. Customers and staff will be able to avail of paid parking, public transport, and there will be enhanced access for those living closer to either cycle or walk to the centre.”

Deputy Mark Ward has requested a meeting with management of Liffey Valley this week.

Gemma O’Brien, says retail workers are prepared to battle hard in the weeks ahead to ensure a viable solution.

“People have already been cancelling their monthly gym subscriptions because of increasing costs.

“The bigger units have their unions support, our head office is behind us. We will protest if we have to. They have to come down to a reasonable amount for people that are working on minimum wage.”