Local shoppers urged to support ‘Small Business Saturday’ this weekend – Cllr Martin Lonergan

Local Independent County Councillor, Martin Lonergan has urged people to support their local town or village by shopping locally and supporting local jobs this Saturday, December 5.

According to Cllr. Lonergan, “’Small Business Saturday‘, is designed to convey the message that by shopping locally, people support local jobs and businesses. The Christmas season is a vital period for local businesses and next Saturday – Small Business Saturday – can play a major role in supporting jobs and businesses and ensuring that our local towns thrive throughout the year.

 Just a small change in spending by consumers in their local town or village can have a hugely positive impact, and all of our towns can facilitate people doing all of their Christmas shopping locally.

There are over 278,000 people working in the retail industry across Ireland with the majority of these employed in small local stores. Shopping locally supports these jobs because every €1 spent in a small local store is worth €4 to that local economy in terms of supported employment and giving that business the opportunity to continue to operate year round”, according to Cllr. Lonergan.

“It’s about letting consumers know that if they shop local, then they support local jobs and businesses. I’m asking consumers to connect with their local businesses, to support them and their communities and I would hope that this initiative will continue to grow into the future,” concluded Cllr. Lonergan.