Artist's impression of refurbished market interior. Image: Dublin City Council Artist's impression of refurbished market interior. Image: Dublin City Council DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL is asking interested parties for ideas on how to redevelop Dublin’s Fruit & Vegetable Market to provide an indoor retail food space similar to Cork’s historic English Market.
Since its closure, it has been suggested that the Victorian redbrick building near Smithfield could be turned into Dublin’s equivalent of Cork’s English Market. Green Party Councillor Sophie Nicoullad told TheJournal.ie that if the market is operated by a private company then it could squeeze out potential smaller producers.
Nicoullad said that Dublin City Council should instead look to develop the Fruit & Vegetable to ensure it remains a community asset and in public ownership, similar to Cork’s English Market, which is run by Cork City Council. Last year, Dublin City Council assistant chief executive Richard Shakespeare told a meeting of councillors: “People talk about the English Market in Cork, but we want a market with a quintessential Dublin feel. Something with a little bit of the magic dust of Dublin.
“This will be an exciting vibrant community of food producers, food for now and fresh produce,” said.