“Wexford people have always been proud of their market town,” Mrs Cole said. “From it’s birth, Wexford has flourishing as a trading point and indeed some of its iconic features, like the Bullring derive from market places. In recent years, the retail apocalypse has taken its toll on the town. High rent and rates, and the detrimental effects of online giants like Amazon have sent family run businesses to the wall.”
“Up until now, our local politicians have said little about the collapse of local family businesses. There’s been no protests to decry the effects of unrestricted online capitalism on local family businesses as the issue is not seemed trendy enough. No one has represented these traders and fought their corner in the council chambers.”
“Wexford needs a dramatic innovative plan to bring back our market town. The next council must use it’s five year term to do everything possible to revive our main street and market areas. I propose lowering commercial rates and reducing the rate rebates on vacant commercial property in the next council budget.”
“There will be plenty of businesses looking to rent property if rent and rates are made sustainable. In the meantime, the establishment of an empty shops network to fill vacant units with social entrepeurship like small markets, theatres and live music venues could dramatically reduce the empty properties around our town and create the community atmosphere around our streets that will allow commerce to thrive.”
“Aontu is also proposing the setting up of local online shopping hubs which would act as trade co-operatives, allowing expertise, tech and discount postage rates to be spread between SMEs in a locality. Aontú will work to establish an online e-commerce platform, providing local businesses an opportunity to compete in the digital age. E- marketplace would put local products and services within a click of a button to consumers across the county and into the global marketplace. A countywide, united approach would ensure it is cost-effective, professional and mobile friendly service for the consumer, while also maximising online traffic for the retailer.”
“We would also like to see Wexford County Council adopt a ‘incubator rent’ model which would allow start ups with a clear business plan subsidised rent relief for a set period. This could be the crucial difference that would keep new small businesses in action long enough to become sustainable.”
“We estimate that Wexford retailers could boost their annual income by up to 500% under these plans. By 2020 Irish consumers will be spending €10 billion online. For our local councillors not to take action and keep their heads buried in the sand knowing these figures, indicates incompetence and unwillingness to serve the small business community and the families and workers they provide for.”
“Austerity didn't work with the country, and it is continuing at local and national level even though the government say its not and say we're out of recession. A decade on and we're seeing austerity measures on Wexford towns main street, in our villages and rural enterprise. That will not lift the town or the county. It prohibits growth and strangles entrepreneurship and development. Austerity needs to be left behind for a local economic model that fosters businesses rather than puts up barriers.”
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