Local Limerick butcher shops are ‘in dire straits’ due to cost-of-living crisis
“BUTCHERS that were here over 20, 30 years are gone - I'm the last man standing!”
These stark words were shared by Seamus Cussen of The Market Butcher in Newcastle West, who is feeling a massive strain on his independent business due to the cost of living crisis.
Expenses have been on the tongue of most local enterprises over the last number of years, and unfortunately, Seamus is still feeling the burden on his business. “My expenses have gone up by about 30%,” he stated. “Meat is up 60%, but the biggest one is probably electricity. It's our worst nightmare.
“My electricity bills are almost an extra €14,000 each year,” Seamus said, adding that the money is coming out of his wages to keep his prices as low as possible. “I can't add that onto my meat products, for the simple reason that I am trying to compete with supermarkets.”
Business grants are often in place to aid small enterprises when they fall on hard times. The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme was approved in Budget 2023, to aid businesses with up to 40% of the increase in their electricity or gas bills.
Seamus explains that since Covid, he has been under pressure to try and cut costs by any means necessary. “I have to bring in all of my product into the one fridge each night because I can't afford to have other fridges running.”
As this has had an effect in lowering his bill somewhat, he unfortunately has not been able to qualify for any grants as he says he does not meet the eligibility criteria set out.
Originally from Tipperary, but living in Newcastle West since 1995, Seamus made the decision to open his own butchers in Newcastle West which ran for seven years. Due to an extraordinary drop in footfall around his premises due to other business closures, he too shut his shop. Now in a new premises for the last four years, Seamus admits that it had been booming until the cost of living became a serious issue.
“This is a trade we don't want to lose,” he said. Butcher Ger Craughan has two shops on the Ennis Road and Kileely and mirrors Seamus' views. Convenience is a huge factor, and supermarkets put another strain on the small business owner. “We're just trying to keep our heads above water.” Now, without much of a profit margin, Ger adds, “it's hard to know what you're doing it for”, but agrees that “you have to be hopeful for positive change.”