Gardaí shut barbershop in Tralee for breaching lockdown regulations
A BARBERSHOP in Tralee which was operating behind closed doors in spite of the Coronavirus lockdown has been shut down by Gardaí until the virus crisis is over.
Last Thursday a number of Gardaí attended the barbershop in Tralee town centre following reports that the business was operating in contravention of COVID-19 trading restrictions.
While the business was not openly trading – and had its windows shuttered and its glass entry door covered over – the proprietor was seen by numerous people unlocking the door and letting customers into the premises.
The actions of the business were cited on social media on several occasions with the business owner coming on for considerable online criticism for apparently flouting the lockdown regulations.
Last Thursday – foll0wing the granting of sweeping new powers allowing Gardaí to enforce the lockdown – a number of gardaí visited the premises and ordered the proprietor to close his business.
A Garda spokeperson said that gardaí had been made aware of a Tralee business which was still operating though not classified as an essential business in line with the government guidelines.
Gardaí said the business owner was asked to cease trading with immediate effect and they have complied with the order.
No further action is expected to be taken against the business or its owner, The Kerryman understands.
THE local economy’s reliance on tourism has seen Kerry take a far harder hit than other counties from the COVID-19 shut down according to the results of a major business survey carried out by Chambers Ireland.
In all 155 Kerry businesses – of all sizes and representing all sectors – took part in the survey which was carried out by the national chambers of commerce network group between April 3 and 6 last.
Accounting for 14 per cent of all respondents Kerry’s business interests are very well represented in the survey, the results of which make for sobering reading.
While almost every business in the country has been hit by the lockdown the survey shows the disparity in the impact in different regions.
For example while nationally 42 per cent of businesses have been forced to shut entirely in Kerry the figure, 70 per cent is far higher with the vast majority of those expecting to be closed for 12 weeks.
Similarly when it comes to staff lay-offs Kerry is far above the national average. Nationally 47 per cent of businesses have been forced to lay off staff but in Kerry that figure rises to a massive 65 per cent.
Meanwhile two in every five Kerry businesses – double the national average – have been forced to lay off every single one of their staff.
Of those that have managed to avoid lay-off practically all have been forced to cut hours or bring in home working arrangements.
Just one per cent of Kerry businesses that took art in the survey said they had been able to continue trading with no changes or cuts to staff working arrangements.
Tralee Chamber Alliance Chief Executive Ken Tobin said the survey shows the heavy toll the lockdown is taking on Kerry.
Mr Tobin said the findings also prove the need for bespoke economic aid packages – not a one size fits all solution – to help counties and regions with very different needs recover when the crisis ends.
“The results show a more significant impact on businesses in Kerry, because as a county we are very reliant on our Tourism and Hospitality sector. Therefore, it should come as no shock that we are showing double the national average of lay-offs and double the impact on business revenue,” said Mr Tobin.
“For those who have closed their business completely, the majority expect to remain closed for at least 12 weeks. Unfortunately, as we’re seeing in other countries, the period of closure is likely to be longer for some businesses. This will have a significant impact across all sectors in Kerry, bringing us into the start of the Summer season, and with some restrictions expected to continue for weeks after that, it looks likely at this stage that the peak season will be missed almost entirely unless we get significant Government support now,” Mr Tobin said.
While initial Government support measures – such as the wage subsidy scheme – have been welcomed Mr Tobin said much greater levels of aid are needed to help most businesses survive.
These include cashflow and liquidity grants – not loans – to help businesses reopen their doors. Such a measure is sought by 96 per cent of the Kerry respondents to the Chamber’s Ireland survey.
“There is almost unanimous agreement that a post- COVID-19 stimulus package is required and that part of these measures must include the provision of grants for business to help them re-open their doors and restore jobs lost. The measures already introduced, while important, were just a first response to support business to hibernate, we now need a real plan to wake up the economy, Mr Tobin said.
There are also calls for a far longer break in commercial rates payment with 86 per cent of Kerry businesses saying the Government’s offer of a tow month ‘rates holiday’ not going anywhere far enough.
Most businesses in Kerry are seeking a seven month break though they acknowledge steps would also bee needed to protect Kerry County Council from the ensuing financial fallout.
“It is clear and obvious that businesses impacted by the restrictions in place will not be in a position to pay rates for some time to come, and that directly impacts on the services that the Local Authority can deliver. Without the rates from businesses the county cannot function,” said Mr Tobin.
“Without Central Government support for the Local Authority to bridge the shortfall, then many worthwhile community projects, festivals, county marketing and job creation projects and other essential services will be curtailed right when they are needed most to lift the county,” he said.