Catherine Kielty Dempsey from Mary’s Bar pictured with the letter she received. Pic: Jim Campbell
A LETTER, sent by the retail group responsible for the town Christmas lighting, to approximately 30 businesses which threatened to highlight them on a public ‘name and shame’ list was a “huge mistake and a complete accident” according to the group’s chairman.
Catherine Kielty of Mary’s Bar received one of the letters which were sent out and said she was shocked when she received the letter, which she described as “very harsh”, adding that her business was not near the main street where most lighting was placed.
The letter explained that the retail group was experiencing a shortfall in funding the Christmas lights, trees and lighting ceremony each year and suggested that “over 30% of retailers/suppliers or professional services who are not contributing are benefiting from the increase in trade” and that this was unfair.
It also suggested that from this year on those who paid for the lighting would be given a large window sticker for their business while those who did not contribute would be placed on a ‘name and shame’ list which would be made public through social and local media.
It went on to request €200 payment from those who had received the letter.
Ms. Kielty said she would have had no problem making a donation towards the funding but such an amount, during tough times, was a tall order. However, she said she would be reluctant to pay anything following this incident.
“I’d like to know how they came up with the figure of €200 for people who are off the main street. Businesses are struggling, the government can say the recession has lifted but people in Wexford are still under serious pressure.”
Chairman of Wexford Retail Group Michael Hayes said the incident had been an unfortunate administrative accident. He explained that the letter which was sent out had been submitted to the group as a suggestion of one to send to businesses which had not paid towards the Christmas light.
“We did not even entertain the idea of sending such a letter and discounted it immediately. Unfortunately, it ended up in our admin tray, was photocopied 60 times and posted out. A number of those listed weren’t in business anymore so we think about 35 businesses got it. We didn’t even know it had been sent out until people started to contact us about it.”
[Full story in this week’s Echo]
