'Shop local' plea from Mullingar Chamber

Shoppers have been urged to keep things local this Christmas by the president of the Mullingar Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner this week, John Geoghegan said that he hoped people will be “more amaz-off than Amazon” this Christmas.

“If you look at Mullingar, you have three and half kilometres of streets. You could have maybe 200 businesses employing up to 1,400 people. If you don’t go in to do your shopping and pick up your bits and pieces, they are just not going to be there. We are lucky to 95pc of the town occupied.

"It’s one of the best town centres in the country, but we have got to fight to stay alive. The streets will die without local support. It’s vital that people continue to shop locally.

“Look of the quality of the shops we have. They are top class. The best of retailers are here,” he said.

As part of its drive to encourage people to shop locally this Christmas, the chamber has re-branded its Mullingar Gift Voucher, which can used in some 130 businesses around the town and locality.

Mr Geoghegan says that for businesses looking to give their staff a Christmas bonus while also giving a vote of confidence to the local economy, they are the ideal option as they are tax deductible up to €500.

“They work really well and they are a great system. We estimate that the €250,000 is worth around €1m quid to the economy because it is keeping the money in the post code. It creates the sense of locals supporting each other and is lovely gift to give someone,” he said.

Labour representative Cllr Johnnie Penrose is calling on shoppers in the Moate, Kilbeggan, Ballynacargy, Athlone, Mullingar areas to remember to shop local this Christmas to help support local retailers and businesses.

“The last 20 months or more have been horrendously difficult and uncertain for all our wonderful local retailers and businesses – however, they have all managed to adapt quickly, whether by going online or moving to click and collect at short notice, and have continued to provide essential products and services,” said Cllr Penrose.

“This Christmas, we can all show our thanks, and help support retailers and businesses, by remembering to shop local where possible.

“This will help maintain jobs and ensure that our much-loved local businesses not only survive, but in time, thrive. This will help sustain our towns, city and villages as the centres of our local communities.

“Throughout the pandemic, as we spent more time in our own localities, we have grown to realise the importance of our home grown retailers and businesses more than ever before.

"I know in my own area the vital role played by retailers in Moate, Kilbeggan, Ballynacargy, Athlone, Mullingar during the bleakest days of lockdown and I am challenging the people in my community to buy at least one gift locally this Christmas.

“Local shops are part of the very fabric and tradition of all our communities. Supporting our local shops this Christmas will do more than help the local economy, it will strengthen the fabric of our communities in the years to come.”