Mayo retailer appointed Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association president
THE Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) has appointed Mayo retailer Peter Gaughan to succeed Joe Mannion as national president.
The CSNA represents over 1,500 retailers nationwide, large and small, from the independent to the multi-franchise owners. As the only independent retailer-driven trade organisation, the CSNA represents the interest of their members only.
Incoming president Peter and his wife Catherine own Gaughan's Spar in Balla, which they have successfully run for over 20 years. Peter is also a postmaster and involved in the IPU.
He aims to ensure that the local retailer gets the recognition from government for the key role that they play in our local community and the overall economy.
He commented: “The local retailer plays a huge role in paying and collecting taxes, supporting local producers and suppliers and creating a huge number of jobs in their localities. During the Covid pandemic and the Beast from the East, we have seen many local retailers step up to the plate and be counted, making sure that the most vulnerable in our society were cared for and remaining open to ensure that the local communities were looked after.”
On the role of the local shop in the community, he continued: “We adapt to the needs of our communities rather than try to sell them what we think they want. We embrace and support local charities, clubs and societies both with time and money because we too are part of that community.”
Peter aims to lift the status of local retailers so they are not just seen as a small local shop, but to be seen for what they are, the biggest employers in Ireland and a foundation on which communities are built, stating: “Too often though we are taken for granted especially by our government who are happy to burden us with extra costs and bureaucracy and still expect us to be there when the hard times come around again.”
If you would like to make representation to the national president on key issues of concern or if you have any suggestions as to how CSNA can best serve its valued members, please send your comments FAO National President to info@csna.ie or call (045) 535050.