This article is from page 4 of the 2008-12-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
ENNIS traders say that despite pre- dictions of doom and gloom, their Christmas trade is looking good.
While there is definitely a drop in spending on previous years, custom- ers are not saying “bah Humbug” to Christmas, the traders say.
But the bad news for the town came in the form of a rates-hike, which is going to put businesses under se- vere pressure in the coming year, the Ennis Chamber of Commerce has eH ule b
Parnell Street trader and boss at Ennis Electrical, Paul Flynn, said at close of business last night that the customers “are still coming in. The throughput this year has been as good as any other year if not better and I believe the January sales will be a major factor this year.”
The Chairman of the O’Connell Street retailers association has said that while spending may not have skyrocketed, activity has been high in Ennis so far this Christmas.
Gearoid Mannion said pedestria- nisation of the town centre and in- creased parking had helped boost business.
“It is down a little, but pedestrian1- sation seems to have helped. Satur- day and Sunday were both busy days in the town. People are just being a little bit more cautious and taking stock of their situation,” he said.
Mr Mannion welcomed signage advertising parking availability and the decision by Ennis Town Council to commence pedestrianisation at OEbe
But he added that the “cumulative effect” of yearly increases in com- mercial rates was impacting on busi- nesses.
“Over all it (pedestrianisation) has improved on last year and I’m look- ing forward to a great atmosphere on the streets over Christmas,” said Mr WZ ETevebteyey
But Ennis Chamber CEO, Rita McInerney said the chamber is “very disappointed at Ennis Town Coun- cil’s decision to increase the com- mercial rate by three per cent, given our submission to the budget not to increase the charge for 2009.
Ennis businesses are suffering as a result of the current economic down- turn but are managing to survive only by strict cost control. As we ap- proach a time of zero inflation and customers having reduced spending power, there is no room for any price increases. Most businesses have already absorbed a VAT increase without passing it on to customers. They are about to experience an al- most doubling of water and waste tN exocne