‘ Save Christmas for firms’

SHOPPERS have been urged to buy

Irish online to save thousands of local businesses and jobs from oblivion.

The country’s small and medium enterprises have lost € 10billion during Covid shutdowns.

And Christmas spending online over the next six weeks will be vital for many Irish businesses to survive.

SME Recovery Ireland launched a campaign to urge consumers to save the “decimated” sector.

The Central Bank revealed earlier this month SMES, which employ 65% of the workforce, had seen profits tumble between € 10.3billion and € 11.7billion. Chair of SME Recovery Ireland John Moran said: “Once again we need to ensure local shops are prioritised when making purchasing decisions.

“Level 5 restrictions are yet another crushing blow. Businesses across the country are forced to close their doors for a second time, wondering how and when they will be able to reopen fully.

“After the initial lockdown we witnessed first- hand the emotional, physical and financial efforts from business owners to reopen and operate safely while the country continued to supress Covid- 19. The sad reality of this second closure, not of their own making, is that many of those businesses may never reopen.

“We want to remind the public that by choosing to shop local, they can help to ensure the survival of small businesses.

“One small purchase can start a positive reaction like a small pebble in a big pond.

“Saving our local shop also helps other Irish businesses in the same supply chain.

“Behind every business are the families of the owner and their employees. We save Christmas for them too.”