‘Supporting local has never been more important...’

THE announcement of Phase Two of the Government’s strategy for returning life to normal will have come as huge relief to everyone involved in local businesses, in particular as it marks a return to trade for the vast majority of retail outlets.

It’s another step in the right direction and I have no doubt that business people and customers alike are excited and ambitious to embrace what is a new start in terms of getting trade going again.

This is the main driving force behind this supplement, which is a follow up on our previous ‘Back to Business’ supplement. I feel it is necessary and important to keep local businesses in the public eye as they look to reopen their doors.

The past few months have brought huge distractions and upset to so many people, and it can be difficult to readjust our minds again to what was once considered ‘normal’.

Of course, I also understand that businesses have suffered greatly since the lockdown was introduced in March; they have lost income, staff, and, sadly in some cases, the loss of their business.

This is why I hope the supplement will be seen as a small effort to encourage local businesses to keep going, and, more importantly, for local people to support local business. It may sound like a worn out phrase at this stage, but the need to support local has never been greater.

Lastly, I’m also mindful of the businesses that have yet to be given the green light to resume trade. These are frustrating times. But keep the chin up, things will return to normal soon and when it does The Kerryman will do all it can to support and encourage them in their efforts to return to normal.

Siobhán Murphy, General Manager of The Kerryman.