#050:The Bottom Line -Government Stimulus Package, Chambers of Commerce, Retail Excellence Ireland, Covid Tracker App & Hospitality.

Economist Jim Power joined John to discuss the Government Stimulus Package and the overall environment facing business. Jim shared his thoughts on the positives and negatives of the package and what impact it will have on business. Brexit is continuing to rumble in the background and Jim chats to John about what potentially may occur, and the preparation needed by businesses. Newly elected President of Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce  Colin Ahern, and newly elected President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce Colin Duggan, spoke to John on commencing their term of office in one of the most challenging times,  they discussed the stimulus package at a local level and the challenges that face business across Kilkenny and Carlow. Duncan Graham, newly appointed Managing Director of Retail Excellence Ireland discussed being appointed to his new position during a very difficult time for many in Retail. He also chats through the recently released survey results for the Retail Trade for the first 6 months of 2020 and the trends that they are seeing as a result of Covid-19. Duncan discusses the introduction of the wearing of facemasks in shops and the transition for retailers. NearForm are the company behind the development of the Covid-19 Tracing App in Ireland and Colm Harte, Technical Director and Project Lead joined John to chat through how they became involved in the development of the app and the process to build the app in early March to launching and being made available to the public in early July. Hotels across the country began reopening their doors to welcome guests to the public at the end of June and this week John spoke with Deirdre Grant, Director of Sales and Marketing at Lyrath Estate on how reopening had been and what the new norm looks like for guests visiting the hotel.With thanks to O’Neill Foley, Produced by Deirdre Dromey.To contact the show, email [email protected]