‘Let them eat cake’, say retailers in Skibbereen

CAKES and prices were the only things being cut on budget day yesterday in a West Cork town.

Up to 40 businesses in Skibbereen united in the ‘Let Them Eat Cake’ event — a feel-good initiative designed to beat the budget blues.

As Finance Minister Michael Noonan delivered his budget speech in the Dáil, bargain hunters from across the region flocked to Skibbereen as dozens of the town’s retailers cut their prices by up to 20%.

And the owners of several local cafés and restaurants took to the streets to hand out free cakes to the shoppers.

The town hall also hosted a series of talks from experts on positive thinking and feel-good topics.

The event concluded with a performance from West Cork Pipes and Drums before several local bars hosted live music.

Sean Murray, the chairman of the Skibbereen Business Association who runs Sean Murray Fashions on Main Street, said the event boosted trade and lifted spirits.

“This idea was born a few weeks ago out of the doom and gloom. We’re not even thinking about the budget,” he said.

“We are trying to stay positive in tough times. We have to think outside the box.

“In tough times, people have to think locally. You have to think what you can do for your town, not what you’re town can do for you.”

And he said he won’t be worrying about the 2% hike in VAT rate announced yesterday.

“The VAT increase won’t come into effect until January. We’ll get over Christmas first and worry about that later. 2012 is another year,” he said.

Acupuncturist Anne Crossey came up with the idea after several clients told her they were dreading the budget.

She said it is time for people to focus on the important things like happiness, family, community, and health.

“A society that doesn’t have that at its core is flawed,” she said.

And she urged people to “connect” with those who have been hammered by the budget to ensure they don’t feel alone.