‘It's a no-brainer’: Shop local and support retailers across Longford this Christmas

People in the greater Ballymahon area have been urged to shop local this Christmas and support local businesses and retailers during a vitally important time of the year.

Cathaoirleach of Ballymahon Municipal District, Martin Skelly highlighted the need to purchase goods and avail of services in Ballymahon, Lanesboro, Edgeworthstown and the entire region this festive season.

"This time of the year is so important for local retailers and, you know, I really would urge people in as far as possible to support the local shopkeepers, the local enterprises.

"There are many places that obviously provide the basic food and groceries but also small businesses that provide Christmas gifts and other services and they are so important for the local economy.

"I would be urging people to shop local at this time of the year."

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Cllr Skelly said the Christmas trade can give the local supermarket and smaller stores a vital boost.

"I mean, the big urban areas will look after themselves with their own industry and services, but it's most important that all of the services, all of the local industries, you know, are alive and vibrant.

"But if the people don't go, then it's not possible.

"So, I am urging everybody to shop local and invest in their locality.

"You know, I'm also so aware that if we do not [what could happen], you know, the choice is with people."

Cllr Skelly, a Newtowncashel native, said people may go and they may get an item in a larger urban area for five cents less, but there is a greater reward to supporting your local shopkeeper and your local industry.

"It could mean so much more to do that.

"And, you know, we all want our local shops, our local industries to stay open and this is one proactive way of doing it."

"The importance and key point of what I am saying is we want to keep rural Ireland alive and to do that then we have to support the services and the industries.

"It's just so important  that we want to keep those.

"November and December are just crucial for people, particularly those in the smaller industries and it's so important that we support them at this critical time.”

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Cllr Skelly said local people in the Ballymahon Municipal District area are generally supportive and he is urging that to continue and for, if possible, an even greater push and onus at Christmas time.

"I actually believe, in Ballymahon, Lanesboro, Newtowncashel and Kenagh there are excellent shops and excellent service providers.

"And I would also put the onus on the shopkeepers and the service providers themselves and I actually believe that as long as the people are providing the services they will be supported by the local people.

"I'm asking people to just maybe think twice, you know and ask, 'Will I go to the larger urban area or will I go to the local service provider?

"And to me, it's a no-brainer because what this does is it ensures that the service will be there this time next year. "

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