GOREY GETTING BACK IN BUSINESS
RETAILERS got back to work on Monday (yesterday) after the phased lifting of Covid-19 restrictions sped up to allow all retailers to open their doors after a challenging time being shut.
Although most had adapted in some form to provide an online offering, for many, it was the moment they had all been waiting for to have face to face inter-action with their customers.
Speaking to Anne Swaine of House of Cards, she said she had taken all measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in her shop.
‘We will be doing social distancing, I have the panels and hand sanitiser here for customers. Everyone is confident now that we can do it and the public have got the message. The government has given us enough time to prepare.
‘Gorey will bounce from this because it’s a good town, my own business as well. All I can say is that the public need to support the local shops’.
Preparing to open its doors, a fresh layer of paint went on outside at Funge’s Gorey while inside panels were constructed at tills and floor markings were put down.
Colm Funge explained that face masks for customers and staff would be optional.
‘We’ve taken every measure we can and what guidelines we’ve been given we’ve read. The government were a bit slow to act but we’ve prepared as best we can. We have to monitor it now, we can only let a certain amount in to the shop at a time, but hopefully now this week everyone will stick by us. All the locals need to stay around in the area and support the effort to shop local,’ he said.
As Johnathan Rath of Shoe Style put down stickers to mark out two metre zones in store, he described this time being vital to get the business community back in action.
‘We are providing gloves so that people can touch the products when they come in, we’ll have disinfectant at the doorway. We’ll have to limit the amount of people that come in and staff will have masks. There had been a lot of uncertainty among shops with regard to the guidelines, such as knowing how many people they can let in, how clothes shops can operate especially in terms of trying on clothes and setting products aside after use. But other than that, the preparation time and the supports have been good. Gorey is a very good town and the businesses work together and that’s going to be our strength.
THE IMPORTANCE NOW IS THAT PEOPLE REVERT BACK TO LOCAL SHOPPING. WE NEED A BIG PUSH, THE SAME WAY AS THE ‘08 CRASH.
‘I’m hopeful but the importance is now whether people revert back to shopping local. If there’s a big push, in the same way that there was around the time of the 2008 crash, then a lot of businesses can survive and work their way through this but it could be six months before we really know the impact on trade.
‘What people have saved up over the course of the crisis, such as the Covid payment, what they really need to do now is get out and not be afraid to spend it. It’s when the money stops moving that everything breaks down,’ he said.
With wet paint signs outside, a busy Marian McKenna and her staff were preparing to re-open La Creme Boutique which has been having success online during the lockdown.
‘Our mother of the bride will be by appointment and we’ll be doing those operations separately next door to control the crowds. In here, social distance will be kept strictly and we will comply the guidelines at all times to protect customers and staff. Hand sanitising will be a priority and we also have face shields for staff.
‘Everybody is on the same page. Our customers will be safe and we’re so looking forward to seeing them for what will be a joyful experience. With our clothes and changing room, we have an info-red UV-C wand to use. We’ll also be really conscious of anything with metal on it, like a hanger or a steel clasp,’ said Marian.
From next week (June 15), Gorey Shopping Centre will re-open with social distancing and hygiene measures put in place.