The Government’s Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme must remain in place for a full 12 months along with commercial rates being reduced or suspended in 2020 in order for businesses in County Wexford to prosper again.

Wexford also wants to ensure “1st Mover” advantage in domestic tourism with the county heavily promoting itself as the No 1 destination in the country through a “Wexford is Open” campaign.

And the County Wexford Chamber is seeking Government supports to promote more remote working arguing that Wexford’s close proximity to Dublin could bring benefits from a society and traffic viewpoint if this is carried through.

These are amongst key findings in a major report entitled “Reviving Wexford” produced by the recently formed County Wexford Chamber of Commerce and presented this week to the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, and various stakeholders.

Over 200 Wexford businesses responded to a survey carried out by the Chamber and in which they said that the biggest impact on business as a result of the Covid-19 crisis was financial (98%) and jobs (54%). The greatest challenges over the next 12 months were identified as cashflow (73%) and consumer demand (55%).

In the survey business owners and managers were asked to detail the assistance they believed would be required in order for Wexford to emerge from the crisis with confidence. The findings harvested through this process will act as the “Reviving Wexford Action Plan” which will be used to lobby Government and State agencies for support.

The initiative, one of the first in the country by a local business body and supported by Wexford County Council, is aimed at rejuvenating the local Wexford economy in the aftermath of the Covid19 pandemic and setting out a roadmap to recovery for the county.

The report states:

“The Reviving Wexford initiative is a clarion call for rejuvenation amongst the business owners and managers of County Wexford. Its chief goal is to guarantee that Wexford is in prime position for the post-pandemic phase, to seek effective supports and to reactivate commercial activity and life into the Model County again.”

Amongst the main calls made by Wexford business are:
 Covid-19 Wage Subsidy to last for 12 months
 Commercial Rates to be reduced or suspended in 2020
 VAT reduction to 9% in the hospitality sector
 Lower bank interest rates and a “holiday” on repayments
 Reductions in insurance premiums
 Targeted grants rather than loans
 Supports for remote working
 Grants for introducing COVID-19 protocols
 Government to pay all redundancy costs incurred as a result of Covid-19

The report notes that despite the appearance of tentative pathways to re-opening, it remains imperative that the genuine concerns expressed, and novel ideas voiced, in the survey are recognised by Government.

“By so doing they will enable the twin prongs of trust and confidence, essential for a vibrant economy, to be reclaimed by a populous presently fatigued by isolation and lockdown.”

It adds:

“The broad range of viewpoints, opinions, and actions proffered plainly illustrates that the County Wexford business community are at the forefront of how to concretely tackle this crisis and emerge from it with optimism and strength combined.”

The “Reviving Wexford” report set out Sector-specific Actions for:

 Hospitality
 Tourism
 Retail
 Services
 Construction
 Manufacturing
 Transport & Motor Trad
 Agriculture
 Healthcare

Businesspeople also highlighted important infrastructural projects needed in County Wexford, including investment in stable and faster broadband, upgrading of Rosslare Europort, and acceleration of Greenways.

Mr Sean Reidy, President, County Wexford Chamber, said:

“This report is a great deal more than a mere petition; rather it is a roadmap to steer our way out of these uncharted waters. Necessary and defined financial and other supports are set out including outstanding new ideas and initiatives which can help County Wexford emerge into a post coronavirus phase energised and ready to act.”

Ms Fiona Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, County Wexford Chamber, stated:

“This is our response to Covid-19, to support our members, to be their voice, to lobby on their behalf, to prioritise their needs, and to ensure they are included in any and all discussion around resuming normal business activity in County Wexford.”

Full “Reviving Wexford” report here: https://www.countywexfordchamber.ie/wpcontent/uploads/2020/05/Reviving-Wexford-Report-10.pdf