Smith's Ice Cream has been trading on Bettystown Beach for over 40 years

A business owner who has traded on Bettystown Beach for over 40 years has spoken of her anger at Meath County Council’s decision to ban casual trading on the beach for the summer 2020 season.

Caroline Smith who owns Smith’s Ice Cream along with husband Gerard says that the move will have a devastating effect on their business in an already challenging year having already lost three months of trading as well as hundreds of events that have been cancelled.

The couple is now calling for clarity as to why this decision has been taken. Speaking about the impact for her business that employs six staff, the ice cream entrepreneur said:

“I am extremely angry; I don’t understand Meath County Council’s position. Fingal County Council has gone ahead opening up their casual trading pitches for their beaches so why is Meath different?

“Is it safer in Fingal regarding COVID? I don’t understand and I have gotten no answers.

“My husband Gerard has traded on Bettystown Beach for 40 years and before that his father would have traded on it. It is a family business that has been handed down through the generations.

“This will be the first year in decades that we won’t be there.”

Caroline says they were relying on summer trading on the beach to keep the business afloat.

“It is an extremely hard year for us as it is for every other small business in the country. We lost everything. We would do a lot of outdoor shows and festivals as well and they are all gone.

“We also normally do a lot of weddings, communions, confirmations and private parties so we were relying on our street work.

“This could jeopardise jobs or even our ability to survive.”

The husband and wife team have put all necessary measures into play to ensure the safety for customers according to Caroline.

“The HSE has advised us that we are approved to operate once we have implemented the Governments Covid-19 guidelines, which we are currently operating.

Caroline and Gerard Smith own a fleet of ice cream vans

“We have health and safety statements and risk assessments in place, updated to cover Covid-19. With over 40 years of trading we have gained the knowledge and experience necessary to run a safe and secure business.

“We are currently operating our ice cream vans all over the housing estates including Bettystown and Laytown areas.

“If it is acceptable for us to operate in this way, then why it is not acceptable to operate casual trading on Bettystown Beach?

“Our customers spend only a couple of minutes at the window of our van while being outside in the open air making our business low risk in relation to Covid-19.”

“All I have gotten is a two liner email from an individual in Meath County Council who does the advertising for the casual traders to say that this year they wouldn’t be advertising, that was it.

“I want clarity on this, give me a reason because I don’t understand.”

A spokesperson for Meath County Council commented that:

"The Members of the Council at the July meeting agreed to accept a recommendation from the Environment Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) that in order to protect public health, and assist with ensuring public health guidelines can be followed, to prohibit general vehicle access to Meath beaches, at least until social distancing is no longer advised by public health officials.

"It was also agreed to facilitate limited parking (10/ 12 spaces) to cater for disabled /age friendly vehicles on the southern side of the main entrance to the beach and that the operation of this approach be monitored over the coming months and considered further at the September SPC meeting.

"On this basis it has been decided not to extend the invitation for trading concessions on Bettystown Beach for the summer of 2020 but subject to improved circumstances consideration will be given for such concessions next year and as part of any revised parking arrangements which may be in place at that stage."