CORK city's first open air street market, a major tourist attraction for almost a year, may close because of a High Court decision this week.
The Saturday market held in Cornmarket Street, one of the oldest and most historic areas of the city, was part of Cork Corporation's city plan.
However, shop owners on the street have succeeded in stopping the corporation from closing the Coal Quay to traffic on Saturdays.
The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Costello, held that while the corporation had the right to close the street under Section 75 of the Roads Act 1993, it must be for a specified period.
According to the ruling, the city manager did not have the right to close the street from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays from October 7th because the order did not specify a time limit and was therefore invalid.
The corporation confirmed yesterday that from next Saturday there would be two way traffic on the street.
It will notify the traders of the situation, outlining the difficulties this will entail.
The street market attracts up to 50 new traders on Saturdays who sell a variety of goods ranging from foodstuffs to clothes, antiques and plants.
It was given a major boost when Darina and Myrtle Allen of Ballymaloe House opened a food stall and encouraged other food producers from around the county to join them.
The long established traders, many of whom have operated stalls on the Coal Quay for generations, seem to have adapted to the influx of competition on Saturdays but the shops and businesses on the street found the going tough.
Mr Sam Mansfield, secretary of the Corn market Business Association, said trading figures had dropped dramatically since the street was closed to traffic on Saturdays.
He said they had discussions with the corporation about their problems and suggested the stalls should face into the pavements as was the traditional manner of trading in the street for decades.
They asked that one lane of traffic would be opened to allow access from the south but the corporation did not respond.
They did not want to shut down the open air market, Mr Mansfield stressed.
"We are horrified that we had to bring the corporation to court to get them to take action. It is absolutely scandalous" he said.