Mullaney’s hoping to bounce back
TODAY [ Tuesday} three months after closing its doors, Mullaney Brothers on O’Connell Street will reopen. An institution in Sligo, the general drapers has been open since 1909 and thus has weathered many storms, but for third generation, John, he sees the road ahead as an incredibly tough one.
“I see this being very similar to the financial crash.”
Over the three month period the business said he took time out to enjoy exercise and reading, but, he admits that getting back to trading is of utmost importance.
“Looking at the start of it [lockdown] it was hard to imagine and now it’s hard to imagine it’s gone that quickly. I’m happy to be back. We have to get back and trade, we are paying a heavy price for the health of the country, but now we have to get back.”
He added, “This is going to take us much longer than people realise to pay for this. I will be looking at this very similar to the financial crisis, that there’s a ten year payback here, it will take us that length of time to get us out past the damage that this has done to the retail environment.” Currently, John (pictured) said most of his staff will be coming back to work but said this is very much predecated on the government’s Covid payment. “When that stops, then depending on the level of trade, I will have to make a call on that. I don’t know what that is yet, but, it will depend on the level of trade.” Mr Mullaney told The Sligo Champion that he and staff had been prepping for opening before last Friday’s announcement by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for fast tracking phases and for all retail to open on June 8th.
“It wasn’t that short of notice, we had been prepping. We weren’t told [we could open] but the mood music was such that we knew we would be coming back.”
So, what is the businessman expecting on the return to trade and what can shoppers expect?
“I don’t expect much footfall, so the shop won’t be overcrowded, there’ ll be signage up telling people what to do and the fitting rooms will be restricted. All the sanitising and the health elements will be in place. I would like to think people will use their common sense.”
Mr Mullaney said if shops are crowded, people can return later when it is less busy.
“The mood is very subdued, there are a couple of premises that won’t reopen and we’re very sorry to see anyone not reopen. It’s perfectly understandable, you can see the reason why.
“Retail is in a perilous state as is, without losing people on the street.”
Trading online wasn’t a huge factor of Mullaney’s business during lockdown and Mr Mullaney said that side of the business does not change the costs associated with ‘ the bricks and mortar’.
“It is not a solution for everybody’s problems.”
According to Mr Mullaney commercial rates in Sligo are in abeyance for the year which is a big help for businesses and also a grant is available. For now, traders like Mr Mullaney are still awaiting this much-needed financial assistance.
Mullaney Brothers will open Tuesday to Saturday from approximately 10am to 4pm depending on trade.
“We haven’t fully decided yet, just to see what trade we will have, and we’ ll adjust as time goes on.”