by Damian Dowds and Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent
AS HUNDREDS of thousands of euro flooded into the
Inishowen economy over the past week local shoppers
have been urged to give the economy here a
much-needed boost by spending their cash in
Inishowen.
Hundreds of people across Inishowen have thousands
of euro to spend from this week as parish saving
schemes mature, the double social welfare payment
and the €22 million to Donegal farmers under the
single farm payment is paid.
Local traders have encouraged the public to splash
the cash here in Inishowen, insisting that there is
plenty of value for shoppers if they stay and shop
in the peninsula. Parish saving schemes in Malin,
Buncrana, Iskaheen, Clonmany, Burt, Inch and Fahan
have paid out in the last week returning large sums
of money to parishioners who saved over the past 11
months. Many use the scheme as a savings plan to pay
for Christmas and businesses have reported an upturn
in trade in recent days.
Coffers have been further boosted as many of the
3,000-plus local people in receipt of social welfare
payments will receive their Christmas bonus, the
so-called ‘double week’, this week, while the
Department of Agriculture yesterday started issuing
balancing payments to farmers under the 2008 single
payment scheme.
Rona McLaughlin, spokeswoman for the Buncrana
Chamber of Commerce, encouraged people to shop local
where possible and seek out bargains.
“There’s a lot of good deals to be had here in
Buncrana, there’s certainly good value to be had
when looking for Christmas gifts and presents,” she
said. “People should seek out the promotional offers
and the sales that are ongoing.”
Carndonagh Chamber of Commerce founder member
Patrick McCarroll says it’s important shoppers look
at the big picture when they come to do their
Christmas shopping.
“It’s important to support local traders because
they are the ones that provide long term jobs. Local
retailers have been a continuous source of
sponsorship for social and sporting organisations,
and shoppers should recognise and acknowledge this
fact when they are spending their money in the run
up to Christmas,” said Mr McCarroll, adding there
was good value to be had by shopping in Carndonagh.
“Shopping in Buncrana and its environs benefits the
local economy and helps preserve local jobs,” Rona
McLaughlin agreed. “The customer benefits too by
availing of the good value to be had locally.”
The Buncrana Chamber estimates that 48 cent of every
euro spent locally remains in the local economy. |
