'Continue to shop local', urges Carrickfergus businessman

Carrickfergus business owner Pat Clarke has highlighted the importance of local traders to the town, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since its establishment in 1979, Brypol Electrical has been serving the community through the retail and repair of electrical goods.

And according to Pat, the pandemic hasn’t affected the spirit of local shoppers.

“It was important for us, along with other traders, to stay open and help facilitate those emergencies that clients had. Whether they were major problems or small issues, we maintained a duty of care towards both existing and new customers.

“Brypol, just like other businesses within Carrickfergus, is part of a community that offers a service. If we didn’t provide that service, there wouldn’t be the same community,” he said.

Pat outlined how customer safety was a “priority” for those visiting the West Street store.

“It was important to keep abreast of what the latest public health guidance was and what resources we could put in place as doing so would help ensure more people feel confident about being in the town centre. Aside from the desire to support our customers, their continued safety was our top priority,” he explained.

As restrictions have eased, Pat believes it will be “vital for the public to continue shopping at a local level”.

“If people don’t shop local, there would be no Brypol. Without local businesses, there is no town. It’s as simple as that,” he said.

As a result of Pat’s dedication to serving his customers, he began to receive ‘thank you gifts’.

“I made an off the cuff remark saying I was partial to a particular dish. The next day, the customer appeared with the very same dish for me – I couldn’t believe it,” Pat joked.

“It was really quite humbling that people were willing to take the time to do that.

“That in itself is a reflection of the town’s spirit,” he said.

Pat’s comments come as Mid and East Antrim Borough Council rolls out an extensive, multi-channel town centre recovery campaign. Led by its specialist Town Centre Recovery Group, the campaign aims to promote our town centres as welcoming and with enhanced safety measures in place.

Councillor Peter Johnston, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, said:

“I would urge people to continue to shop at a local level and support local traders. Doing so will be a fundamental aspect to the survival and future growth of our local economy as we recover from the pandemic.

“It is encouraging to see Pat and the team at Brypol embrace the spirit of community at this time, something which is very much at the heart of Council’s #RediscoverMEA campaign. Our local businesses are here to provide a warm welcome whilst at the same time providing a safe shopping experience.”