Budget 2017: Challenges faced by small firms not addressed

For the last number of years, local business-owners like myself have suffered significantly in Ireland’s difficult economic situation.

Now, with economic growth moving in the right direction, one could be forgiven for thinking the benefits of this improved economic situation would reach all sectors of the economy. SMEs have suffered greatly throughout the recession and the independent off-licence sector is no exception.

As chairman of the National Off-Licence Association, which represents independent off-licences throughout Ireland, I am keenly aware of the 3,000 jobs that have been lost, and 551 off-licences that have closed in our sector since 2008. Our experienced and trained members have been forced to close their doors, and the community has lost businesses which employed locally and traded alcohol responsibly.