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Kildare businesses fear over prospect of localised lockdown

There are fears businesses 'could not come back' if a lockdown is announced in Kildare, Laois an...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

14.34 7 Aug 2020


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Kildare businesses fear over p...

Kildare businesses fear over prospect of localised lockdown

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

14.34 7 Aug 2020


Share this article


There are fears businesses 'could not come back' if a lockdown is announced in Kildare, Laois and Offaly.

Hotels say they are already experiencing cancellations and worries of a drop in footfall are rising.

Elisha Devine runs Violets Flowers in Kildare town.

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She does not know if her business would survive another lockdown.

"Maybe that just restrict it to the county, that we could go within the county.

"If they did that we'd be fine, but if they lock us down completely it'd be very hard for us to get up after it again".

She says if a strict lockdown is announced, €3,000 worth of fresh flowers will go in the bin.

"I can't imagine us coming back from it, to be quite honest.

"It was hard enough to get back from the last two months and try and pick up the business.

"Well, we'll never pick it up again - but I think it could kind of tip us over the edge again now this time".

Seven Kildare-based hotels have already contacted Allen Shine, the CEO of Kildare Chamber of Commerce.

He says: "Consumer confidence taking a knock-on effect already this morning.

"We've had reports of hotels have several cancellations already.

"People are just saying 'let's not visit Kildare'".

"It's an industry that's been badly hit already, any further hit to it is going to be devastating for that industry.

"I've spoken to seven hotels and another tourist destination in Kildare, and they're very worried.

"We're coming into a weekend and the sun is supposed to come out, people are travelling.

"There's only three weeks before schools re-open - so now's the time when people go out and they spend".

Brian Flanagan owns Silken Thomas Pub and B&B in Kildare town.

He is worried about loosing his new-found staycation customer base.

"If they're considering a staycation, Kildare or Laois or possibly Offaly would fall down their list if there was to be restrictions put in place".

Kildare Chamber of Commerce has called on Government not to lockdown the three counties, and instead start testing people living in the area on a wider scale.

This story has been updated. Read more here

Reporting by: Kacey O'Riordan

Main image: A shop display in Kildare town, amid fears of a second lockdown there. Picture by: Kacey O'Riordan 

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Coconavirus Covid-19 Kildare Kildare Lockdown Kildare Town Localised Lockdown

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