Rent becomes a major issue for Listowel firms forced to shut by COVID
CHAIRPERSON of the Listowel Business and Community Alliance Rose Wall has thanked the Emmets’ and other GAA clubs in the greater area of the town for their extraordinary help in getting groceries and medicines to elderly people now cocooning.
Ms Wall described the mood in Listowel as deeply fearful – as with every other part of the country – but said that the community was displaying a brave spirit of resilience and compassion for its most vulnerable.
She also paid tribute to the new frontline staff – those keeping the supply of food and other essentials flowing through the local supermarkets, from checkout and store staff and management, to the workers maintaining the distribution of goods throughout the pandemic.
“We are extremely grateful for the brave work of those still keeping us supplied with food and other vital items in our local supermarkets; they are now the frontline staff in the fight against this virus,” Ms Wall told The Kerryman.
“And we are extremely grateful for the help of the GAA, they have really stepped up the plate with members volunteering to help get food and medicines to the elderly all around the region,” she added.
Supermarkets operating special time slots for older customers is also coming as a massive help – at least up until last week, before the more stringent measures came into effect. Until then, many traders had been innovating to keep some income coming in, with some restaurants – including Lizzie’s Little Kitchen – operating a hatch through which food was being collected.
“There are a couple of shops still posting any online orders they have been getting, with at least one shoe shop and one clothes shop selling in this way, but it is very limited of course. Traders are deeply fearful now of the impact of the pandemic, particularly as there is no end date in sight,” Ms Wall said.
Ms Wall welcomed the boost in COVID payment and the measures for employers introduced by the Government, but said more supports are needed, not least in the area of rents.
Though closed, many businesses in Listowel are still forced to pay full whack to private landlords.
“A number of small businesses got in touch with us on this issue. The loss of business has now put them in a position where they will not be able to meet rent payments.
“We are asking that the government demand a rent freeze to help these businesses and that businesses get help from banks with immediate payment breaks and other supports,” she said.
“We need to insure the businesses which are the heartbeat of our towns and communities will continue after this pandemic passes”