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Small shops hire 1,000 staff since 2011

Tuesday, March 12 11:16:02

Over 1,000 new jobs have been created by 230 local family owned shops since 2011, according to RGDATA the representative association for independent family grocers today.

The lobby group is campaigning to get Government to introduce policies that support local Irish entrepreneurs including independent grocers in order to create and sustain jobs in local communities.

At a presentation to the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation today Tara Buckley, Director General, RGDATA said: "This is a very positive message about independent grocers creating jobs during one of the toughest economic climates for retail. Independent shops do not roll down the shutters and shut up shop when times get tough. They roll up their sleeves and get on with creating and retaining jobs and adapting their businesses".

A delegation of independent retailers including Dundalk retailer, Colin Fee, Gary Morton of Morton's in Ranelagh and second generation Mayo retailer Rob Murphy, highlighted the importance of local family owned shops to vibrant towns, local economies and the creation and retention of local jobs.

Independent retailer, Colin Fee urged the committee to take action to combat the rise in the illicit trade in fuel, tobacco and alcohol.

Family grocer, Rob Murphy called for National Guidance on Car Parking and Smart Travel to save town centres from desertion.

Gary Morton of Morton's in Ranelagh asked the committee to address overzealous clampers in Dublin and end the practice of 'free parking' in out of town shopping centres.

Buckley outlined the details of an RGDATA Report Nightmare on Every Street urging National Guidelines on Car Parking and specific measures that policymakers should address to assist independent shops to survive and thrive including: abolition of the Retail Grocery Joint Labour Committee; ringfencing the National Lottery Retail Agents' margin, ensuring access to credit, reducing Commercial Rates and tackling the red tape burden.

RGDATA said the Independent Retail Grocery & Convenience Sector provides over 90,000 jobs and makes a total contribution of E3.6 billion to the Irish economy.