Occupancy
In the short-term, Covid will negatively impact occupancy levels in all towns and cities. Some businesses have already announced their closure. Banking and fashion retail have witnessed the greatest fallout.
That said, we do not have to accept significant levels of vacancy in our towns as a fait accompli.
We can look at innovative uses for vacant space and create rates- and rent-controlled zones to appeal to SME artisan food and craft producers. There is no reason why many towns cannot have a mini-English Market of their own.
To solve the occupancy conundrum, it’s worth considering appointing an occupancy champion to every county council. If a building falls vacant, something happens about it.
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The national Champion Green campaign to support local Irish businesses has launched its programme for 2021.
The movement aims to drive local recovery by encouraging people to #SupportLocal as the country looks to move on from the coronavirus.
The 2021 programme includes a new local loyalty app and a National Champion Green Week which will reward people for supporting local brands and businesses.
It is backed by a €1m package of investment aimed at helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adapt their businesses.
Champion Green
Launching the campaign this week, the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that, as the coronavirus vaccine is rolled out, it has never been more important to support local Irish communities.
The project kicked off online this Monday and for every open letter downloaded from the site during the month, Kilkenny Design will donate €1 to Safe Ireland – a charity which aims to make Ireland a safer place for women and children.
Speaking about the project Marian O’Gorman, CEO of Kilkenny Design said; The past year has been a struggle for us all and people are missing the warmth, strength, and creative spirit of the special women in their lives.
At Kilkenny Design it’s women’s day every day, it has been for over 50 years now. The women of Ireland are our much loved customers and we believe an open letter is one of the most powerful ways to express your feelings towards those you appreciate most.
Soar in online shopping
How the pandemic has caused a perfect storm for online retail – and why it’s set to continue
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7 Feb 2021, 8:00
FOR a good portion of the last year, online has been the only option for many of us trying to buy anything beyond our grocery essentials.
The resulting surge in demand for digital shopping has seen soaring sales for international online giants like Amazon, Zalando, Otto, Boohoo and Asos.
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Joachim Goyvaerts, director of Benelux and Ireland for PayPal
But there have also been opportunities for smaller, more local retailers that have been able to tap into this increased online demand and a growing sentiment towards supporting local – and often struggling – businesses.