New lockdown to spoil festive boost in business sentiment

The reopening of non-essential retail and the loosening of restrictions on the hospitality sector lifted the retail and services pulses

The consumer pulse recovered further ground in December, with households more positive about the general economic situation and their own financial circumstances. File picture: Sam Boal

Business confidence amongst Irish consumers and companies rose in December on the back of positive Covid vaccine rollout plans and the lifting of Level 5 restrictions in the run-up to Christmas.

However, the Bank of Ireland 'economic pulse' index was tempered by the lack of clarity on Brexit which did no reach a resolution until Christmas Eve.