Retailers ask for an early reopening to avoid chaos

RETAILERS have sent an urgent l etter to the three Government leaders calling on them to allow shops to reopen early for health reasons.

They say such a move will avoid a ‘surge in shopping in December’ which could have dire implications in spreading Covid-19.

Retail Excellence – the largest lobby group for shop- owners – criticised the Government for its lack of clarity over the reopening of ‘non-essential’ retail outlets.

It wrote to Micheál Martin, Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan calling on them to reopen non-essential retail before December 1 to ‘adequately manage customer demand in the run-up to Christmas’.

In the letter, Retail Excellence head Duncan Graham said: ‘You have stated your intentions to open non- essential retail on December 1, enabling retailers to trade for just over three weeks before Christmas. It is inevitable this will result in crowded streets and a frenzy of activity in our shopping centres, towns and cities.

‘ Non- essential retailers are reporting sales down 80% on 2019 over the last three weeks as the public delays its Christmas spend.’

A Government spokesman said: ‘Government is very aware of the difficulty the Level 5 restrictions are causing for people and businesses, which is why supports such as the CRSS (Covid Restrictions Support Scheme), EWSS (Emplyment Wage Subsidy Sceme), the commercial rates waiver, low cost loans, reopening grants and the VAT reduction were introduced.

‘Ministers are in regular contact with business and retail groups... Work is continuing on a plan to ensure a safe r eopening in December.’