Are we losing our local shops?

Across Ireland, rural towns are struggling with vacant premises, traditional main streets are losing their character, and Dublin’s O’Connell Street continues to face concerns about antisocial behaviour and its impact on businesses and visitors. Local shops are more than places to buy everyday essentials. They provide jobs, support local communities and help give our towns their identity. But with rising business costs, changing shopping habits and concerns about the safety and appearance of our streets, we have to ask: what will it take to bring our high streets back to life? Vncent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association of Ireland, discusses the future of our local shops and town centres.