'They're all dying' - Can Ireland's main streets be saved?

Ireland's traditional high streets are under threat as many retailers close their doors. Andy Burnham, Britain's new Prime Minister, has vowed to revive struggling high streets in the UK as they become unrecognisable due to the rise of vape shops, betting shops, and rogue operators. In Ireland, similar concerns are being raised about the future of main streets.

Peeling apples at Phelan's Bakery in Portlaoise, Susan Gowing worries about the town's future. She continues a century-old tradition but sees nothing left on the main street as the shops close down. Retail insolvencies have increased by 35% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to PwC Insolvency Barometer.

Richard Phelan, a fourth-generation baker, works more than 80 hours a week and sees vacant premises on every main street he delivers to. The increasing number of vacant shops and parking charges are driving customers away from town centers.

Another long-standing family business, originally a bicycle shop, has closed its doors after footfall halved over the past year. The shop fronts are now replaced by pubs, nail bars, barber shops, and a few restaurants, lacking the mix of shops that once existed.

Industry figures indicate that what Mr. Donegan describes in Portlaoise has been replicated in towns across the country. Jean McCabe, owner of a boutique in Ennis, Co Clare, and chief executive of Retail Excellence Ireland, attributes the decline of some town centres to poor planning and the development of out-of-town shopping centers.

The growth of online shopping and changing fashions have also impacted traditional clothing and footwear retailers. Parking and access restrictions are further concerns for retailers.