'John Street is outdated': Kilkenny council chief calls for funding to transform city street
As featured in the Kilkenny People
The last seven days have brought much sadness to the business community of John Street in Kilkenny City.
On Saturday last, well-respected local butcher John Joe Cullen closed his doors for the final time after more than half a century behind the counter.
Meanwhile, the street lost an all-time icon just a few days earlier, as iconic businessman Eamonn Langton passed away aged 78.
Both events have been met with great sadness and nostalgia as a part of John Street’s history appears to have changed.
However, looking ahead, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Joe Malone, has aired the view that it is time the street, which serves as a vital artery into the heart of Kilkenny City, receives a much-needed funding boost.
His comments came in the context of more than €16 million being allocated to Kilkenny under the new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund — funding from which John Street has not benefited.
“The funding is a welcome boost, but we need to get the funding now for John Street,” Cllr Malone said.
“John Street is outdated, so we need to get funding, and I said that to the county manager, and I know he’s fighting behind the scenes to get that done as soon as we can. We don’t want John Street left behind and we need to get the funding for it.”