Chamber: Placemaking key to Cork’s success

Businesses on Leeside are in favour of seeing more art in public spaces with many saying that it can strengthen a location’s identity.

That’s what a new survey from Cork Chamber which asked for the thoughts of the Cork business community on Q4 2019 has found. It also asked about the outlook for the year ahead on business confidence, the operating landscape, skills and the overall perspectives on the economy, while also delving into the role of placemaking.

The survey, sponsored by Ulster Bank, was released yesterday 29 January and while announcing the results, Cork Chamber President Paula Cogan said: “Quality of life for citizens is a key pillar in developing a successful location for investment and skills. Within this, arts, culture and placemaking are fundamental and in our recent survey we explored this topic further.”

Across the business community, Cork Chamber received a resounding endorsement of the efforts to enhance the public realm with 92 per cent of respondents confirming that art in public spaces enhances the experience for residents and visitors alike.

33 per cent indicated the importance of public art to amplify a locations identity, closely followed by its role in inspiring creativity and to beautify a community.

Ms Cogan added: “Many respondents also highlighted the broader role across multiple functions including to represent a community and to support artists. Without a doubt, we are in an envious position in Cork with a strong tradition in arts and culture, a tradition that forms a central thread of Cork’s story. The opportunity is to translate this and enhancing our public places and business facades where possible to convey this rich story.”

Commenting on the economic trends, she said: “Over Q4 2019 we are pleased to report a surge in confidence in the Irish economy amongst the Cork business community reported in the Q4 survey to 79 per cent, up from 60 per cent in Q3. Interestingly, we see 55 per cent of respondents indicating an expected increase in employee numbers over the next 12 months, an increase from 45 per cent in Q3.”

The latest quarter also reported 39 per cent of businesses as having open vacancies with 28 per cent reporting difficulty filling these roles. As with previous surveys, the chamber saw a deficit in skilled engineers across a range of specialisms, and more generally a shortage in experienced managerial level staff.

The survey also reported that Brexit was the number one threat to businesses.

“While there are challenges nationally and globally with a question mark over who will be leading out our next government, and the future relationship with the UK, we are pleased to report on the strong confidence, and pragmatism of the Cork business community,” concluded Ms Cogan.