A leading furniture retailer has said the lack of enforcement of Covid-19 trading protocols is creating a major headache for its long standing Dublin retail chain.
Over 100 Des Kelly employees have been without work since lockdown closed the retailer’s twelve stores in March.
However, despite a clear directive that the ‘homewares’ sector was to remain closed, Greg Kelly has said numerous competitors have been openly trading for the past week with no censure at all.
In a letter to the Taoiseach this week, copied to Government Ministers and Opposition spokespersons the Managing Director has queried the trading restrictions.
He said: “We have loyal longstanding employees who desperately want to get back to work, but who have accepted the fact that it is not advisable just now, on account of public health and safety.
“The problem however is when they see over a dozen competitors stores throwing open their doors and welcoming in customers, while they remain unemployed, and the business they work for is being undermined by this lack of enforcement.
“We need clarity and we need enforcement of whatever protocols are agreed.
“Our shutters have been down, in full compliance, since March, and it is frustrating to see that there is one rule for some and a different rule for others.”
