THE proprietor of a local butcher and convenience store says the pressure to meet overheads while providing competitive prices for customers is “killing” small businesses in Fermanagh.
Gordon Nixon opened his Mace store in Tempo within the last 12 months to “bring life back into the area”.
He has also been running the local butcher on Tempo’s main street. In the run up to ‘Small Business Saturday’ on December 5, he says the pressure to keep customers “shopping local” has left traders adopting the approach of “every man for himself”.
“I don’t see too many handouts coming to Tempo,” he says, “We are all just left to hold our own. This has been a hard year for us because this is the first year the Mace store has been opened. Since I started in Tempo I have seen quite a few of the small shops go. I have seen five convenience shops go down to one. I wanted to give people a bit of choice in Tempo again and bring some life back into the area with the Mace store.”
He says the last 12 months have been a constant battle between meeting overheads and delivering competitive prices for his customers. “You are trying to meet the demands of rates all the time. I think for a rural community, business in Tempo is doing quite well -- but it is the overheads that kill them. We have been lucky to have loyal customers. Our biggest problem is trying to attract new ones.  And for an area like Tempo, when you are up against high streets like Enniskillen, that is not easy. Years ago businesses used to support each other more, but now, because we are all under so much pressure, it’s every man for himself.”
The ‘Small Business Saturday’ scheme is being promoted by Erne North councillor, Raymond Farrell.
“Business is increasingly challenging, particularly so for smaller retailers and family run enterprises. While the number of shops and outlets has thankfully seen a reduction in bankruptcies and insolvencies from last year, it nevertheless remains challenging times for many. I have great admiration for local families who despite the challenge of the multi-national companies, continue to provide a service in their villages and towns and so offer the customer, something personal and unique. 
"Up to 70p in every pound spent with local independent retailers benefits the local economy and supports local producers and suppliers.