Simon Kennedy of the Enniskillen branch of SD Kells
IT HAS been a positive few weeks for traders, with Christmas shoppers providing a welcome boost to the local retail sector.
The recent seasonal rates for parking in some of the towns car parks, where £1 gives five hours of parking, has helped encourage people into town, traders acknowledged.
Not to be dismayed by the increasing presence of online shopping, (Enniskillen sorting office reported up to 5,000 Christmas packages a day), cars could be seen virtually gridlocked on roads leading into town towards the end of last week and over the weekend.
“The build-up to Christmas has been reasonably good,” noted Simon Kennedy, of SD Kells.
“This week has been busy and our late nights have been steady – though I’d like to see more traders open late to complete the shopping experience, but that will come with time.”
Simon was happy with the weekend’s trade, and feels that today (Monday) could be even busier.
“From town itself there does seem to be plenty of people about and plenty with shopping bags – I think things are on a turn definitely.”
Similarly, Anne McGrail, of Easons Enniskillen, spoke of a busier Christmas period this year.
“We’ve been very lucky this year from a book point of view and I think that’s down to the good local books that we’ve had, including Fr Brian, Citizen Quinn, Neven Maguire and Peter Quinn.
“Books are our bread and butter. We’ve been trying to show that we’re not just about the books – but they are our main product.”
Adding that there is ‘a lot more euro coming through the till’, Anne echoed Simon’s sentiments that Monday could prove the busiest day.
“We’ve had a positive Christmas and that is down to the local books that we’ve had.”
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