Local businessman Liam Stephens is calling on the Government to cut VAT rates and continue the wage subsidy scheme in order to enable businesses in the services sector to survive the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Klassic Cleaners (Roscommon) proprietor is a member of the ‘Dry Cleaning, Laundry, Wet Cleaning and Tailoring Association of Ireland (DLWTA)’, and the group is hoping to meet with Government officials soon in order to highlight concerns raised by business owners.
“DLWTA is very worried nationally because with people working from home the demand for business dry cleaning has been hit. I have heard of at least ten dry cleaners closing across the country, which is a huge concern.
“As a group we are hoping to meet with members of the Government in order to raise some of our concerns and to highlight the need for continued support. We will also be calling for a VAT reduction so that savings can be passed directly to the customer. I can’t see the current voucher scheme working for us because it’s very restrictive when it comes to services such as ours,” he said.
While his own business adapted in order to continue at limited capacity through lockdown, Mr. Stephens believes more help is needed for small business owners going forward.
“At Klassic Cleaners we have started to rebuild in the last few weeks and we are happy enough with how things have gone. It has been difficult, but we have adapted our business in order to bring our staff back. Our dressmaker is now full-time making facemasks which have proved very popular with our customers.
“On the other hand, the dry-cleaning side of our business has been very quiet as events such as weddings and parties have been cancelled and Confirmations and Communions have been put on hold.
“At the same time, we want to guarantee the safety of staff and customers and steps have been taken at Klassic Cleaners in terms of social distancing (and other protocols).
“Just recently, dates have been announced for local Confirmations and Communions for the end of August and the end of September. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but it is very important that the Government continues to support the industry through the wage subsidy scheme,” he added.
Mr. Stephens said the wage subsidy scheme has enabled him to bring most of his eight part-time employees back to work and he is also thankful to his loyal customers for their continued support.
“The Government reaction to Covid-19 has been mostly good, in fairness. It is a pandemic, so they have had to think about things as it has gone on but it’s (the reaction) certainly better than the last recession. It’s now up to the current Government to continue supporting businesses in order to get the country back to some sort of normality.
“Our staff and customers have been brilliant throughout this too and I’d like to thank them for their support and understanding. While business has been affected, our facemasks, particularly those in the Roscommon colours, have been flying out the door!”
