Athy traders prepare for new market rules 

THE NEW Casual Trading Byelaws, which will bring new rules to market trading in Athy have been introduced to Athy MD.

Representatives from Kildare County Council attended the Athy Market on Tuesday, October 28, to distribute leaflets and application forms to traders, and to engage in discussions regarding the upcoming byelaws, which will come into effect from November 18, 2025.

Under the new regulations, casual trading will be permitted in specific designated areas across Athy on certain days and times. These include: Tuesday 7am– 2.30 pm and Saturday, Sunday, and Bank Holiday Mondays 8am – 5pm at Emily Square, Tuesday 7am – 2.30pm at Barrow Quay, and Saturday 9am – 3pm at Edmund Rice Square.

Stall holders will also be required to use a stand or table to sell their goods as part of the new byelaws.

At the Athy MD meeting, local representatives had a chance to speak on the draft byelaws before giving them the go-ahead.

Cllr Aoife Breslin queried the trading hours with specific focus on late-night traders in Athy town. “The food stalls have been running for several years,” said cllr Breslin. “Both have viable businesses running here. There’s no other premises open at the time. Is this closing them off? We can’t say no longer can you trade here.” In response to the query, the council said that they were unsure if the aforementioned businesses made submissions on the Draft Byelaws during public consultation.

It is understood that this specific case is currently being worked on by Athy MD and the council.

However, this issue is not the only one being raised by local residents.

According to local submissions entered against the Draft Byelaws, one main concern felt among residents is the financial blockade they might introduce for casual traders at Athy’s historic Tuesday market. Residents worry that with new costs of licensing and insurance for market stallers will push many away from Athy and towards other markets, resulting in a declining Tuesday market.

Kildare County Council confirmed that annual fees will apply for traders based on the size of each pitch. Fees are set at €100 for pitches up to 3m x 3m, €200 for pitches between 3m and 6m in length (up to 3m depth), and €300 for pitches between 6m and 9m in length (up to 3m depth).

Each fee includes space for a pitch vehicle where permitted. In addition, an Event Licence Fee of €50 per day will apply to particular events.

Kildare County Council also stated that the “cost of insurance for market traders is determined by individual insurance providers and is not set by Kildare County Council.” It continued: “Within the municipal districts of County Kildare where Casual Trading Bye-Laws are in effect, the annual cost of public liability insurance for traders typically ranges from €150 to €300. In most instances, traders pay towards the lower end of this scale, reflecting the low-risk nature of the goods sold and the simplicity of stall setups.” Cllr Aoife Breslin confirmed that the intention of Athy MD is to “enhance the provisions of markets in Athy,” not to push Tuesday vendors out.

Cllr Breslin explained that it is their hope that the Tuesday market would expand, all while retaining the current vendors.

“Nobody wants to close the market, far from it,” she said. “The market is part of Athy’s heritage.” She added that the council is trying to encourage economic development in Athy and sees the development of markets as part of that, including the development of weekend markets for crafts, and food items.

“I would see the development of markets as enhancing what we have to offer here in Athy,” said cllr Breslin.

Deputy Mark Wall TD weighed in on the controversy online and said: “ Safe to say that I and my colleagues will continue to work to retain, improve and develop the market which is very important to the town.” “There are questions that remain unanswered by the introduction of these bye-laws and we intend to follow them up as a matter of urgency,” he said.

The Council has also confirmed that it is working closely with the Irish Organisation for Market and Street Traders (IOMST) to maintain open dialogue with local traders and ensure a smooth, well-informed transition when the new regulations take effect later this month.