Winning cross-border trade battle

Dundalk has won the battle against cross-border trade, which has now returned to 'normal levels' the Chamber of Commerce has claimed.

Chamber CEO Bill Tosh said it has welcomed news that Louth and indeed Dundalk had proven among the most competitive for a range of services in a recent national survey.

'Business people in Dundalk have cut prices significantly, and have gained trade as a result. Around the town now we see a lot better value positioned across a range of shops and services'.

Mr Tosh hit out at UK multiples who he criticised for 'still setting too large a price differential when applying prices in euro'. 'The local and Irish owned businesses have all realised the necessity to bring prices down, but we need the same response from the British owned stores'.

He said he had made a number of trips to Newry over the summer months and noted the percentage of southern registered cars waiting to go into the northern city was as low as 2% on one day and 7% on a Friday.

'This is compared to maybe 18 months ago, when southern cars would have made up 80% of vehicles waiting to go into Newry on any given day' said the CEO.

'We are no seeing the normalisation of cross-border trade. People will choose to go North for various reasons, but no longer for the weekly shop.

Town Centre traders also recently reported an overall increase in footfall, good news as they look ahead to Christmas 2010 shopping season.

Other Local News from Louth

• Patrol cars a priority over internet, say senior gardaí
• Government launches new jobs plan
• Child killer seeks to halt death inquest
• Shane Geoghegan murder trial to hear closing statements
• Third-level reform plans could see institutions merge
• View All Latest News in Louth