Shop local this Christmas

Dear sir - Navan Town Council will suspend parking fees from 11 am each day during the week of the 18th-24th December 2009. I would like to ask all business owners and employees to be so kind as to make sure that the parking spaces on the main streets are kept free for the use of shoppers during this time. Next, I'd like to address the consumers. Because of our geographical close proximity to Newry many of our shoppers travel to the North each week to shop there. Retailers in Navan have had a tough year with reports of losses in the region of 35 per cent. There is no doubt that consumer spending is way down and people have become cautious in their spending. Government levies have hit family incomes drastically. Abounding cutbacks and the looming December budget has instilled fear into our already financially pressurised population. Those in power in the Government want to take €4 billion extra out of our already suffering economy. This year 9,000 jobs have been lost in the retail sector so far. There are predictions that a further 12,000 will go in the next six months. With this in mind please support Navan this Christmas season. Remember that by shopping in Navan you are supporting your local economy. Thank you. Yours, Cllr Francis Deane, Navan.