It’s up to us to support our own

It’s that wonderful time of the year again.

As I walk around our city and observe the Christmas lights and indeed the many Christmas trees being put in place across the city, it signifies the start of the Christmas period.

This is a time of the year that means many different things to many different people. It is a time for sharing, a time for giving, a time for forgiveness and a time for togetherness.

Christmas is a time for family and a time for creating lifelong memories with the people that you love and care for.

While Christmas is generally a happy time, it can also be a sad time for some people. It is important to acknowledge that some people may be living alone, homeless or may have recently lost a loved one.

Christmas can be very sad for some people so anything we can do to help to make Christmas as inclusive an event for as many people as possible would be wonderful.

Over the coming weeks leading in to Christmas, as Lord Mayor, I will be actively involved in supporting many events and organisations and I am really looking forward to these.

2020 has been a very difficult year for everybody as a result of the various restrictions imposed on us as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

In fairness to everybody, the vast majority of people complied with these restrictions to the very best of their ability. Unfortunately, not everybody complied fully and I suppose that is why we are where we are.

Our business sector has suffered this year like never before. Our retail sector has been hit so hard that many businesses literally were unable to sustain the pressure and shut their doors permanently. Many people lost their jobs.

Our hospitality sector has been decimated and of course what was a buoyant tourism industry literally disappeared.

Our country is currently locked in Phase 5 restrictions and the trend seems to be heading in the right direction. We hope that the easing of restrictions in December will enable our business sector to regenerate itself to some extent but it certainly won’t be able to do this without our help.

December will be a critical month for our business community, our economy and indeed our country.

We can play a pivotal role in contributing to the recovery of our somewhat ailing business sector. Our businesses need our support like never before.

- We need to shop in our local stores as much as we can

- We need to support our city centre businesses as much as we can on the lead up to Christmas

- Support your local restaurants and hotels where possible

- If you are shopping online, buy from an Irish company and where possible a Cork company

- Where possible buy a voucher from a local business as a Christmas gift

The recovery of our business sector will only be as swift and as strong as the contribution of the people of Cork.

As Lord Mayor, I am appealing to everybody to support our local businesses in the lead up to Christmas and beyond.

May I also take this opportunity to wish you and your families a happy, peaceful Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

Shop safe, shop local and support our local businesses.