A glimmer of hope

EDITORIAL

A GLIMMER of light appeared at the end of a long, dark tunnel of recession this Christmas when there was a small but significant increase in retail spending compared with the same time last year. It’s all about consumer confidence, a vital ingredient in a potent elixir to encourage people to reach for their cash or plastic.

 

Nationally, a figure of almost 2% growth has been reported in retail spending and it is expected this will carry forward as the post-Christmas sales move into overdrive, according to Retail Excellence Ireland (REI).

This mirrors the Ennis experience of recent weeks and there was quite a surge in business in the few days leading up to and including Christmas Eve. Other main towns in the county also reported a pick up in trade.
Ennis Chamber CEO Rita McInerney said while it was difficult to predict how the post-Christmas sales would go in the county town, pre-Christmas shopping had proved strong.

“I think the retailers were happy enough with the week leading up to Christmas and particularly the last weekend before Christmas,” she said.

Clare-based CEO of REI, David Fitzsimons, said the turnout of shoppers for the Christmas season nationally is well ahead of expectations, with retailers offering the very best value and service to consumers.

“It is also welcome to see a return of consumer confidence, based on the increase in consumers and we can only hope that this will remain throughout 2013,” he said.

This confidence will be tested in the week ahead as 2012 gives way to 2013. Will the injection of spending power be sustained for another while so retailers can salvage something from what has been a tough year?
The REI is encouraging people to try to spend locally as much as possible in the coming days, as the euro travels further when doing the rounds close to home. It’s not exactly a new message but it is one that everybody should be reminded of from time to time.

Also this week comes another important message from the chairman of the Small Firms Association, AJ Noonan.

“Given the right conditions, the small business sector will generate the growth needed to create jobs, overcome our debt burden and deliver the prosperity and quality of life that this country can legitimately aspire to. Small business can lead the way in helping Ireland to recover faster and stronger,” he said.

Mr Noonan noted it has been a very difficult time for small business, with entrepreneurship undergoing reassessment. However, for 2013 he wants small businesses placed at the heart of economic policy.

“Small businesses are the drivers of innovation and a permanent source of prosperity, employment and economic progress. Entrepreneurship is alive and well but must be nurtured and developed with a renewed focus from both agencies and Government,” he said.

Again this message is not hot news but it must be repeated over and over. Our small and medium-sized indigenous businesses collectively account for a considerable percentage of our workforce. They must be protected.

Let The Gathering begin

AS we prepare to herald in a new year, we can look forward to The Gathering Ireland 2013, which, it is estimated, could attract at least 20,000 international visitors to Clare, giving a €10 million fillip to the local economy.

The initiative has had its high-profile detractors but they are in the minority and the overwhelming majority see it does indeed have considerable merit, if only to put the spotlight on our country in a positive manner. Any reference to Ireland on any website will provide a link to The Gathering and the title will gain greater recognition.

Thousands of social, sporting and recreational events, at local, county, regional and national level, are staged in Ireland every year and what The Gathering will do is to emphasise their significance as part of our culture and heritage.

In Clare, Clare County Council and Shannon Development are jointly leading The Gathering project team. It comprises some 28 members, including councillors from each electoral area, representatives of national organisations and local representation from various sectors.

A strong focus of the Clare approach will be to internationalise a range of local events and activities and ensure that a significant increase in overseas visitors is generated for 2013. This is the essence of the overall Government-promoted Gathering initiative.

This level of interest should encourage event organisers in Clare to broaden their appeal with additional visitors in mind, rather than relying on the traditional support base of parish and surrounding communities, as well as local families that tie it in to annual holidays.

When The Gathering was discussed at a meeting of Clare County Council, it was suggested by Councillor Gerry Flynn that if the Government is convinced to make an allocation to the Clare committee, there could be a 10-fold return.

One of the major events for 2013 is The Gathering and The Scattering conference, organised by Clare Roots Society, which will take place in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis in April. It will be preceded by a week-long series of events around the county and it is expected that this will draw a lot of visitors.

Phoenix Week, from March 14 to 21, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of twinning the Arizona city with our county town.  A large group from the US have already confirmed they will be attending.

St Patrick’s Day and related events all over the country will be promoted as an opportunity for Clare diaspora and other overseas visitors to experience entertainment and hospitality.

Even if the sceptics remain unconvinced of the possibilities The Gathering offers, it’s too good an opportunity to let pass by without rowing in behind any one of a plethora of events on your doorstep. Even if The Gathering doesn’t achieve the visitor targets, it’s bound to increase 2012 levels and boost revenue in Clare and the country at large.