'We have become masters of distraction. We'd start Christmas in June if it wasn't for Halloween.' Stock Image

Dublin businesses are down €6m after suffering a hefty 30pc drop in trade during the Pope's visit.

City trading organisations hit out at the organisers of the World Families event and National Transport Authority for failing to hold a full consultation on their plans.

They claimed that people stayed indoors because the organisers gave the impression the city was "in lockdown" all weekend.

Richard Guiney, chief executive of Dublin Town, which represents 2,500 city-centre businesses, said a sign had been put up in Henry Street to say it would be closed - until traders objected, and it was removed. He said the number of people in the city centre dropped from 335,000 to 275,000 on Saturday.

"Turnover is down about 30pc or 25pc, which is going to equate to between €5m to €6m over the two days of the visit," he said.

"Our overall feeling is that the plans should be drawn up two months out and the business community involved in how that might be communicated and implemented."

Graeme McQueen of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce said it was very quiet in town over the two days.

"Saturday was like a Sunday and yesterday was bad again," he said. "The bad weather wouldn't have helped. It feels like the last hour before the shops are going to close walking around town. I can't recall a quieter Sunday afternoon in Dublin city centre in some time.

"It was very difficult for people to get around. People decided to sit tight and do nothing."

Adrian Cummins of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said it was fantastic to showcase the country to the world media during the visit, but lessons needed to be learned. "There was less hassle when the Queen came in than the last two days," he said.

"People felt it was put up and shut up. And there was a feeling if you objected you'd be shot down."

Irish Independent