Drogheda Chamber leads way

SINCE the Covid 19 pandemic started, Drogheda Chamber have been hosting weekly webinars every Thursday at 12.15pm which is open to all businesses, members and non members, to attend.

The conversations are primarily based around business updates relating to government guidelines and supports available, discussing the challenges and concerns for local business from cashflows, rates, insurance, employment, operational issues, etc.

This week also sees the launch of the new Retail development programme funded by the Drogheda Chamber M1 Skillnet, developed and led by Miriam Simon titled ‘ Creating Your Retail Battle Plan’, there are still a small number of spaces available so for further information and to join this free programme contact Linda on M1skillnet@droghedachamber.

Shona McManus (pictured), President of Drogheda & District Chamber commented ‘Over the past 8 weeks or so health, safety and flattening the curve have been top priority for everyone during the current phase of Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines.

‘As a result however, we have seen the doors of many of our local business close, our unemployment rates rise significantly as employees have been let go or put on temporary lay off with typical weekly trade, sales and cashflows levels significantly in decline or drying up.

‘However, during these tough times we have also witnessed our local entrepreneurial spirit and resilience kick in with many business finding opportunity wherever possible in these times by pivoting, re-inventing, creating new products and services and finding new ways to conduct business under current guidelines either online or through carefully crafted social distancing methods.

‘Key challenges reported by local business right now, which are echoed in the Chambers Ireland survey results are primarily centred around running costs of the business from tax, rents, rates, insurance, salaries all of which feed into the liquidity and cashflow of business and the ability to either operate into the future if the business remains open right now or indeed to simply reopen the doors and restock the shelves when the time comes.

‘Whilst grateful for the quick measures government took initially with financial supports and funding mechanisms such as loans, the temporary wage subsidy programme and the pandemic unemployment benefit there is now a strong call for government to review and implement additional financial, cashflow and liquidity supports.

‘ Timelines, framework and H&S guidelines into reopening business have been patiently awaited and the 1st outline of these timeframes we gratefully received on Friday evening by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar,’ she stated.

‘Business can now start to plan their reopening and work out the financial costs associated, ensuring social distancing and relevant guidelines are met whilst re employing our workforces and keeping Covid 19 at bay.

‘As we start to navigate our way forward and plan the Reboot of business in Drogheda together, the Drogheda Chamber Council and I would encourage and ask all business owners and mangers to engage with us and the wider business community at this time as we continue to lobby, engage and inform conversations directly and via Chambers Ireland with Government and relevant bodies during the Covid-19 Pandemic. ‘