Steep growth in Mayo digital retailing hit by broadband deficit
The county's businesses need gold-plated service for challenges ahead
THE major shift to online trading by retailers across Mayo has exposed a broadband deficit at many urban locations.
The extent of digital sales growth was reflected in the fact 438 businesses across the county received €1.06 million in funding last year under the trading online vouchers scheme. A further 120 approvals to a value of €259,000 were made between January 1 to May 26 this year.
The scheme offers a 50% co-funded voucher of up to €2,500 to help businesses to develop their online trading capability and includes training sessions that cover various topics, including developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation.
Mayo TD Alan Dillon said the level of take-up in Mayo was a clear signal of an unprecedented, if not unexpected, shift in shopping trends across the county, accelerated by the pandemic.
However, he concurred with serious concerns raised by his Oireachtas party colleague, Senator Paddy Burke, that deficient urban broadband is forcing retailers in busy shopping towns like Castlebar to consider moving to locations with high speed internetSenator Burke has appealed to eir to give serious consideration to updating a service that was never built to cope with the new age of online activity.
Deputy Dillon said companies like Siro could have a key role to play in the provision of a 100 Mbps. gold-plated broadband for the county's retail and commercial sectors in the aftermath of a virus that has brought about enormous change in working and shopping practices.
“I think Mayo County Council should come on board in leading this campaign in the interest of the business sector,” he said.
Senator Burke said it would be a huge shame if Main Street in Castlebar is further damaged by the loss of retailers due to an issue that can and should be addressed with the right approach.
“A whole host of businesses cannot operate to full capacity due to the broadband bandwidth available.
“This is wholly unacceptable and must be urgently addressed,” he added.