OPINION: With costs crushing small retailers, it's vital we shop local this Christmas

Many years ago, when my late mother taught in the local convent, she refused to sign a ‘Good Luck’ card for a retiring teacher because the card was not made in Ireland. Another card with a ‘Made in Ireland’ stamp was procured and presented to the teacher. Mother’s motto was simple, buy Irish when you can and support your fellow country people.
We have since been through the Guaranteed Irish phase, a government-sponsored scheme to support Irish businesses. That has more or less lapsed because of our European love-bombing, with EU procurement procedures to the fore.
Meanwhile, it’s sad to see so many businesses close down across the country, especially in the hospitality sector. Pubs and restaurants bear the brunt of the closedowns. Increased costs outside of the operators control is the main reason. Lack of local support is another.
While political candidates tread the election trail it is Government costs, directly and indirectly, that are killing off many of these businesses. The unscrupulous and unreal rise in rates is one example. Politicians cannot blame anyone other than themselves. It’s amazing how some local politicians want to ‘remove’ themselves from the consequences of decisions taken at national level by their respective parties.
The reality is that both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael politicians are directly responsible for the rates rises, regardless of their claims that it’s the Valuation Office (Tailte Éireann). Tail-wagging-dog politics is no longer acceptable.
On top of rates you also have VAT, income tax, USC and excise duty, not to mention tax on almost every product and service you buy. This means you use your already-taxed money to pay more tax!
While fuel and energy companies screwed all around them since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, our government stood idly by and raked in increased taxes from consumers. Efforts at energy credits following a public outcry was a poor government response.
When paying rates businesses once received water in, water out and refuse collection services, all now hived off to quangos and private companies. Today, if businesses cannot pay they receive nothing more than a legal threat from a statutory body. There are no direct services now in exchange for paying rates.
A government website claims: “The money generated from commercial rates goes towards the running of day-to-day services provided by the local authority, including street lighting, street cleaning, footpath and road maintenance, public parks and spaces, environmental protection, libraries, fire services, and more”. These services were once provided by our direct taxes.
When challenged about the ongoing deterioration of roads and footpaths the council will claim not to have money. Even voluntary committees bringing business to the town that require road closures are being asked to pay for council newspaper notices! Councils seem to have money for nothing.
Who made the decisions to stop long-standing allocations of tax monies to councils for the provision of everyday services? When, where and why were those decisions made that enable councils to claim they do not now have money? Yet, councils are still allocated taxpayer-funded State money.
Today in Westport, the Chamber of Commerce is involved in the provision of Christmas lights. This commendable action has the downside of appearing to let the council off the hook.
Approaching Christmas will mean an extra drain of people’s resources. Shop local is the key message. The money you pay locally is an investment in our parish community. It’s now so easy to shop online with foreign companies who have no vested interest in our community other than the monies they can squeeze out of us.
We need to make positive decisions to favour local businesses that also support local workers and ensure viability of businesses. They are the ones we turn to for support when our clubs and societies need sponsorship. Christmas is an opportune time to repay them for their kindness.
My late mother’s message from years ago still rings true – support the people around us. Westport Chamber of Commerce has a Westport Christmas Shop Local campaign. Over 100 retail and hospitality businesses are supporting a draw for €5,000 in shopping vouchers for participating customers. When you shop local no one loses.