Christmas trading boost for local businesses

A big increase in footfall and a bigger spend than last year has been reported by many retailers in the Athlone area according to local chamber President John McGrath. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this week on trading prior to December 25, he said the increase in footfall was not surprising given the icy and snowy conditions which kept people out of town at the same time last year. On top of that, he said people seemed to be spending more, pointing again to the weather as a factor as the heavy rain meant shopping was one of the few pursuits people could do rather than other outdoor activities. He also attributed the good festive season to the shop local message hitting home as a help but he stressed it is something that needs to continue into 2012. "Hopefully some people who thought they would have to close, will hang in there now and survive," Mr McGrath concluded on a positive note. Meanwhile, Rosie Boles from Burgess in the heart of the town, commented that the department store had a good run-in to Christmas and a very good start to their sale on December 27 opening to queues at every door which was "very promising". This year it seemed some people held back some money with a view to getting a bargain in the sales, she added, although there has always been an element of that every year. The week before Christmas was very good for trading as was the week afterwards, something she partly put down to Christmas day falling on a Sunday this year and store continuing to trade right up until the Saturday. Golden Island Shopping Centre traders reported a very good Christmas, and some had an exceptional festive season according to Manager Tony McDermott.