TIME TO PULL ON OUR PURPLE AND GOLD JERSEY AND SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES
AS WE emerge from Covid-19, the implications for our economy are only starting to become apparent. Business owners across the county have been dealt a major blow as a result of the government imposed lockdown, and as a number of them now re-open their doors for the first time in months as part of Phase 2, they are facing an anxious time as they dust themselves off and attempt to move forward.
For this reason, it’s never been more important to pull on our purple and gold jersey and support local. Local business owners are our friends, neighbours and clubmates and while they may have supported community efforts in the past, they now need that support to be returned if they are to continue to trade and re-start the local economy.
Shops and services are battling bravely at a time of unprecedented challenge and deserve nothing less than a loyal response from local consumers while many of those forced to close, are in need of online and telephone orders and the purchase of gift vouchers to survive.
In every town and village in the county, business owners and their hard-working employees who continue to keep food on our tables and supply vital services, are among the heroes in the current crisis.
We need to do our part by making an extra effort to buy from local outlets, choose locally produced food and drinks products and avail of local services where possible, to ensure that Wexford businesses and the county’s food industry survive into the future. In choosing to support them, we can help to save businesses and keep people in jobs, thereby helping ourselves by sustaining the local economy on which we all depend.
‘It is critical that every single person in Wexford plays their part to ensure that Wexford re-emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic as soon as possible’, said Fiona Lewis, CEO of the County Wexford Chamber which has launched an initiative called ‘Reviving Wexford’, as its response to ensuring the revival of the Wexford economy.
The Chamber is working on a retailer specific initiative to support shop owners and managers to get their businesses back up and running and to look to the future.
‘But initiatives need public support and everyone in Wexford can at this stage help by shopping local. This will ensure that the money spent stays in the county’, said Fiona, adding that County Wexford Chamber vouchers for local businesses can still be purchased.