AN UNSEASONABLE row has broken out between the Christmas stallholders on Dublin’s Henry Street and the city council over the authority’s refusal to allow them to use the petrol generators they say are needed to light up their stalls.
The stallholders say that unless the council relents, the traditional Henry Street Christmas stalls may become a thing of the past.
Most of the 76 stallholders, who operate from December 1st to 24th each year, selling everything from confectionary to Christmas decorations, light up their stock. Some sell exclusively electrical goods such as fairy lights, which they say need to be displayed working if they are to sell.
The council, however, says the petrol generators they have been using are a fire-hazard and can no longer be used. Yesterday, the pedestrianised street was busy but the stalls were not lit up.
Discussions with the council on the use of generators have been continuing for three years, said Sadie Grace, a spokeswoman for the stallholders.
“Some of us had been renting Honda generators and the council told us these were the safest so most of us went ahead and bought them for €750.”
A number of conditions were attached to their use, including that an extinguisher must be on each stall and no petrol could be stored.
“We were called to a meeting in August and we were told these generators weren’t safe,” said Ms Grace. “They want us to use battery-powered generators, but they only give power for three hours. We are desperate now . . . This is our livelihood.”
Stallholder Patrick Owens said trade was “really slow” this year. “It’s the recession but it doesn’t help not having light.”
A council spokeswoman said she was unaware that stallholders had previously been told the petrol generators were acceptable.
