Over €300k spent on Mullingar Gift Vouchers this Christmas

More than €300,000 worth of Mullingar Gift Vouchers have been sold so far this Christmas.

The vouchers can be used in 115 outlets across the town, according to Mullingar Chamber of Commerce, which is behind the initiative. Its president Allyson English said the voucher scheme is “booming” this year.

“A lot of people and businesses are buying these vouchers as they are accepted in almost every outlet in town,” she said.

“I would seriously recommend employers consider buying Mullingar Gift Vouchers as they are tax-free and can be used for bonuses.

“It’s important as it encourages people to spend locally and contribute to the local economy.”

Ms English said local businesses are the life of the town and deserve support. “Shopping local is a big thing – we need to keep small businesses open and keep money within the local economy,” she said. “We need to help the shop owners, the retail owners to stay put.

“Every business is struggling in some shape or form, no matter who you are, and it’s important to keep revenue streams in the town.”

Cllr Emily Wallace, a retailer in Mullingar, said Christmas is important for locally owned businesses. “They are at the very heart of our main streets and keep the town vibrant, which we want to maintain,” she said.

“Whatever few pound businesses make over Christmas sees them through January and February, when things are a bit quieter.

“We will hit a speed bump at some stage, so if people are thinking of spending, they should think about shopping local.”

Cllr Wallace said the money spent in local shops stays in the community. “It comes back to us through sponsorship for our GAA teams, work experience for TY students and so much more, and you wouldn’t get that with multinationals.

“Even if you spent €5, that could then stay within the town and be spent elsewhere, it’s a knock-on effect.

“We’re lucky to have in Mullingar, in particular, so many family-owned businesses that make the town what it is.”

“We don’t want closed shop doors. We have businesses in my family for years now and know the importance of it,” said Cllr Wallace.

“It can be hard, but thank God we have such a positive and supportive community here.”

Cllr Wallace said the biggest threat to local retail is online shopping. “The older people in our community will go out and shop in town but the younger people tend to do a lot of it online. I would ask young people to think of where they got their first steps in and shop local when you can, you don’t even need to spend a whole lot.”

There is free parking in Mullingar in Westmeath County Council car parks on December 21-23 to encourage local shopping.

Cllr Wallace said it’s a help for local businesses. “It’s a great opportunity to get some local shopping done while the parking is free,” she said.

“One thing I would encourage people to do is be thoughtful of others with disability issues at this time and park a bit further away if you’re fit and able. That’s the only thing I would say to people to be cognisant of – it is the season to be thoughtful after all!”