‘I would consider my staff frontline workers...’

HORGAN’S Centra and Atlantic Oils in Ardfert is a focal point for trade in the locality, and like many businesses in Kerry, they faced COVID-19 head on by staying open.

Businesses learned a great deal from the crisis, none more so than the value and importance of staff. Proprietor Brendan Horgan explains how the surge in oil deliveries and a need to keep the shop opened could not have happened without his staff, who pulled out all the stops under difficult circumstances.

“I think what the pandemic showed more than most is how important staff are,” Brendan said. “Oil prices fell back which meant orders increased. This created massive challenges for us as we were inundated with deliveries.

But we met them all thanks to the staff. The big challenge was keeping our staff and customers safe while still being able to deliver a service.”

Brendan continues: “All our staff have been unbelievably dedicated and there was great unity there from the start. We are very thankful for this. The one thing I’ll take from the crisis is how important your staff are; I would consider my staff frontline workers, and you should never take your staff for granted.”

Brendan also praised the people who ‘stayed local’ and supported local businesses during the pandemic. “I think the lockdown highlighted the importance of business in local areas. They provided a massive service and that shouldn’t be forgotten. Thankfully people knew this and supported them as much as possible.”

Brendan feels there should also be some level of Government support for businesses that remained open during the pandemic. In many cases businesses operated at a time when costs were escalating and footfall was lower than normal.

“It cost a lot to keep businesses going during the pandemic and there should be some strategy there to support those that stayed open. In many cases extra staff were hired to ensure premises were kept clean and sanitised, which was important. The Musgrave Group was also fantastic to us in sending daily information and updates on the pandemic,” Brendan said.

Staff at Horgans Centra Ardfert : Siobhan Hussey, Adam Hook, Thomas Wallice, Caroline Griffin, Norrie Horgan, Shane Clifford and Lauren Barrett . Photo By Domnick Walsh