BEST FOOT FORWARD - RENTAL COSTS A MAJOR ISSUE FOR MITCHELSTOWN SHOE SHOP
When we hear the word recession we think, NAMA, IMF bailouts and emigration. We think of young people and how they’re going to survive, the collapse of the property industry and companies that have gone out of business. We rarely consider the plight of local businesses that are struggling to stay afloat.
Spending less Liam Kent of 2 Shoes at Upper Cork Street, Mitchelstown this week explained what it’s like to be a local business trading through one of the worst ever recessions to hit Ireland.
“There’s been a fall in property prices and a drop in spending in rural towns, yet the rental prices have yet to fall,” Liam told The Avondhu.
“It’s absolutely affecting every business. People are spending less and less. We need people to shop local to keep local businesses alive.”
HIGH COST OF RENT
One of the main bugbears local retailers have is the high cost of renting a premises. This has remained the same while the cost of maintaining a business increase. Liam Kent of 2 Shoes believes the strain of trading in these economic time would be reduced if rents were reduced accordingly.
“Rental fees are still high. I think landlords need to be more understanding and realize that this is a difficult time for us. We are not getting the business we used to get and the rent should be reflecting that. If you shop at home you’re benefiting the local economy and you get everything you would get from the bigger cities.”
Why should you shop local? Many consider it easier to just go to the nearest supermarket and stock up. If prices are marginally cheaper then surely you’re helping yourself through the recession? However, that’s not always the case. Shopping in bigger chains doesn’t always ensure that the economy in your community develops, as it should.
3 TIMES THE IMPACT
When you shop local your money makes 3 times the impact as it would if you bought from multinational chains. You invest in the local economy, the community, your neighbours and yourselves. Liam Kent believes that shopping in the community offers a more personalised service.
“Myself and my staff offer a friendly service here at 2 Shoes. People can come and go as they please, they can browse around and bring stuff back if it doesn’t suit them. We have also built up a clientele and we get to know our customers. It’s a more friendly approach than the bigger chains can give, ” he concluded.
Published:
Thursday 8th September 7:10pm
