Closure Of B&Q Store Results In 47 Job Losses

Fianna Fáil Waterford Cllr Gary Wyse has expressed his disappointment at confirmation that the B&Q store in Waterford will remain closed with the loss of 47 jobs. This is despite the fact that four other B&Q stores that were also under threat were saved today.

Cllr Wyse commented: "It is hugely disappointing to hear that the Waterford B&Q store is the only one of the 5 under threat that will close. My thoughts are with the 47 workers and their families who have lost their jobs today.

"We are all aware of the the very challenging environment that faces employers in Waterford, banks now need to support businesses, I believe that without this support many viable businesses will go under. The future of shops and restaurants in Waterford remains under huge threat. The vast majority of these are small independent retailers who do not have the backing of a large parent company.

"Fine Gael promised a plan on ‘Putting Small Business First’ before it came into office. What has happened to this promise to help retailers strangled by upward only rent contracts? What has happened to the commitment under the Action Plan Jobs to establish a Retail Strategy Group?

It is now more important than ever to support local business by providing a mechanism to substantially reduce the commercial rates that are currently crippling many small businesses.

"It is time for this Government to wake up to what is happening and remember the promises they made to get into power.

"The Government has neglected Waterford and we have seen no discernible efforts to make the county a priority for investment and resources. We have heard about the Government’s Jobs Initiative, NewEra, and Jobs Action Plan, but these are more about generating headlines than generating jobs."

(CD)