Tara Buckley highlights that retail SMEs are the backbone of the country and our town centres

In this episode Alison Harvey talks to Tara Buckley who is Director General of RGDATA. Tara discusses why the Retail Grocers Trade Association is so invested in Ireland’s planning policy and the overwhelming need for a more integrated policy for town centres. Tara speaks about why RGDATA supports a collaborative approach to town centre regeneration and the unique role played by independent grocery/convenience shops in our historic towns. The two discuss the Programme for Government’s Town Centre First Policy, how this can be progressed, and what programmes could deliver it. Tara also gives examples of independent grocers in towns that are engaged in successful collaboration and are seeing tangible results.

EXCERPT RGDATA Budget Submission 2021: Town Centres First
RGDATA Submission Review of Framework for Town Centre Renewal 

This podcast is supported by The Heritage Council.