WHAT WE SAY.
We haven’t said much about this publicly before – but over the past two years, we’ve been working quietly behind the scenes with other local businesses and residents to tackle some of the long-standing challenges in our part of the city. Now, we feel like we’re starting to turn a corner – and it’s a good time to share some of the progress and the real sense of momentum we’re building together.
When we opened our shop on Aston Quay two and a half years ago, it was clear the area faced some serious challenges. Open drug dealing, antisocial behaviour, and a general sense of unease were part of daily life on the street. But rather than accept that as the norm, a group of residents, businesses and local organisations came together to better understand the scale of the problems – and to start working on solutions.
Over the past two years, the Aston Quay and Temple Bar Business and Residents’ Alliance has brought together 47 local businesses, apartment block managers, and the Temple Bar Residents’ Association. Our goal has always been to make this area safer and more welcoming for everyone who lives, works, or visits here. We’ve had constructive and ongoing engagement with Gardaí, Dublin City Council, councillors and TDs, and we want to acknowledge just how much of a difference that collaboration has made – especially in recent months, where an increased Garda presence has helped the streets feel noticeably safer.
In March 2025, the Alliance produced its first major survey report on safety and antisocial behaviour in the area, based on the experiences of 458 people. While the findings highlight the scale of the challenges, they’ve also given us a clear roadmap for action – with practical, targeted recommendations that we’re now moving forward with. Some of the key proposals we’re now actively progressing with stakeholders include:
We’re also fully behind the work of the new Dublin City Taskforce, which shares many of the same goals. What’s needed now is delivery. Many of the ideas are already there – we just need to follow through with real action, and that’s exactly what we’re focused on.
The bottom line? This is a part of Dublin that matters. It’s home to a huge number of residents, it’s a vital cultural and tourism destination, and it supports thousands of jobs. We want it to thrive.
There’s still work to do, but we’re optimistic. The collaboration, goodwill and determination we’ve seen from across the community and our partners gives us real confidence in what’s possible.
This isn’t just about tackling what’s wrong – it’s about building the kind of city we all want to live and work in. And on Aston Quay and in Temple Bar, we’re already on our way.