The reopening of the Victorian Fruit and Vegetable Market on Dublin's northside would be "transformative" for that part of the city, Shane Coleman has said. 

Cork's English Market Manager Brendan Walsh has said he would love to see markets "thriving" across the country, however the competitive nature of Dublin's retail scene is an obstacle to markets in the capital.

Newstalk Breakfast presenter Shane Coleman has said he believes there is room in the city for a permanent market.

"There are plans to transform the old Victorian Fruit and Veg market - it’s due to be open this time two years," he said.

"There is actually money in place and there is now a plan in place after many years of this being put on the long finger.

"I think this has the potential to be absolutely brilliant."

Dublin Victorian Fruit Market, Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

Shane said the reopening of the market would be "transformative" for the area near Smithfield and Capel Street.

"I think if you create an experience, people will come to it and that’s what we need to do in town," he said.

Shane believes online shopping prevents people from travelling into town, but "destination shopping" could attract more footfall.

Co-presenter Ciara Kelly said she hopes Shane is right, but she has reservations about attempts to recreate other markets.

"I think a lot of times when we’ve tried here with Christmas markets to ape what we’ve seen, all over Vienna and Munich - and what we have produced here is low-rent, cheap tat," Ciara said.

"I think what makes a market is its history."

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Ciara also said markets could struggle financially in Dublin.

"You have to remember, markets don’t make massive money," she said.

"Dublin is an expensive city so I'm just not convinced even though I would like to be wrong because I like the idea of it."

The Victorian Fruit and Vegetable Market is set to reopen in 2026.

Feature image shows Shane Coleman (L) and the Victorian Fruit and Vegetable Market (R, via RollingNews.ie)