Local town traders did well at Christmas
THERE were more feet on the streets of several Galway rural towns over the festive period with traders happy to report a rise in business and new faces coming through their doors.
While some shops acknowledged that online shopping has impacted parts of their business, overall throughout Tuam, Dunmore, Headford, Mountbellew and Glenamaddy small businesses were holding their own and felt the "shop local" message has gotten through to consumers.
Traffic congestion and high car parking charges were also seen as a deterrent to those visiting bigger centres such as Galway city with more availability of spaces, free and low-cost parking in other towns.
In Tuam, Joe Leufer of Leufer’s Jewellers said they were happy that trade was on a par with last year and that jewellery shoppers still like the personal touch. “The volume of people coming in was definitely up and there were lots of new faces too which is great to see,” Joe told The Tuam Herald.
While some shops acknowledged that online shopping has impacted parts of their business, overall throughout Tuam, Dunmore, Headford, Mountbellew and Glenamaddy small businesses were holding their own and felt the "shop local" message has gotten through to consumers.
Traffic congestion and high car parking charges were also seen as a deterrent to those visiting bigger centres such as Galway city with more availability of spaces, free and low-cost parking in other towns.
In Tuam, Joe Leufer of Leufer’s Jewellers said they were happy that trade was on a par with last year and that jewellery shoppers still like the personal touch. “The volume of people coming in was definitely up and there were lots of new faces too which is great to see,” Joe told The Tuam Herald.