Supporting local: Christmas gifts you can buy in East Cork to support flooded businesses

Tue, 14 Nov, 2023 - 12:33

Denise O’Donoghue

WHEN Storm Babet hit last month, east Cork was one of the areas that fared worst. Places such as Midleton found themselves underwater quickly and businesses saw years of progress washed away in the space of a few hours. While the recovery has been strong overall, the financial impact on businesses has been significant.

Midleton Chamber is encouraging shoppers to boost local trade by stocking up for Christmas at affected businesses in the area.

“It has been fantastic to see more businesses reopening every day. We want to encourage people to support local,” they said.

“It is coming up to a busy time of year, and local businesses need your support. Stock up on those Christmas gifts and stay a while to dine out in our amazing restaurants and cafes and avail of the fantastic services on offer.”

While businesses affected by the flooding can avail themselves of emergency flood relief schemes, a quick and effective way to boost those shops is with your shopping. Ahead of Christmas, try to buy from local brands and businesses affected by Storm Babet rather than big name multinationals so you know your money will really make an impact.

If you’re also looking for a perfect festive in-person time to pop into the town, the Christmas lights will be switched on in Midleton on November 19, with a Christmas fair running the same day from noon to 8pm in the Fair Green, offering a festive day out for the family. Santa’s Grotto will be in situ on the day as well in the Courtyard at Sage Restaurant from 12.30pm, with sensory visiting slots between 10am and noon too (free entry and no booking required).

From food to fashion and everything in between, here’s how to add some community spirit to your festive shopping list.

Food

Having reopened just last week, Hurley’s SuperValu Midleton has all the usual supermarket offerings you could need for Christmas, from biscuit tins to butcher’s cuts.

Over on Main Street, Murphy’s Butchers (murphybutchersmidleton.com) has been operating for three generations and offers a choice of traditional cuts or quick oven-ready meals. If you’re trying to cut down on packaging, Earthway Refill Shop (earthwayrefill.ie) on Main Street encourages customers to bring their own container or bottle and fill up on good quality food plastic free.

Fashion and beauty

Denbar Jewellers was hit by flooding on Main Street but reopened, with diamonds, gemstones, gold, rose gold and sterling silver jewellery among their offerings.

Midleton at Christmas. Picture: Anthony O'Connor

You can pick up some beauty gifts sets from Murphy’s Pharmacy in Riversdale Shopping Centre (murphyspharmacy.ie) from brands such as Sculpted By Aimee, Luna By Lisa, and Sosu.

Bertelli Menswear (instagram.com/bertelli_menswear) is currently restocking its collections for autumn/winter 2023 and offers a wide selection of products for sale for men, including trousers, trench coats, gilets, and gloves.

General gifts

You could brighten up a loved one’s day with a delivery of flowers to their home. Ina McCarthy For Flowers on Main Street (inamccarthyforflowers.com) has more than 25 years experience in creating beautiful floral designs and offers daily deliveries in Midleton and throughout the east Cork area.

For someone techy on your list, Repair It (repairit.ie) has offers on smartphones, tablets and computers as well as offering repairs.

O’Brien’s Interiors (obriensinteriors.ie) offers a range of household goods, from lamps to laminate flooring.

Bluebell’s gift shop (bluebells.ie) on Main Street reopened earlier this month and stocks gifts for all, including hampers, stationery, and novelty Christmas socks.

Kids

Hyde’s Children’s Fashion (hydeschildrensfashions.ie) has loads of clothes for kids and offers a Christmas Club service that helps customers put a beautiful outfit or two together and pay a deposit until December 8.

Lollipop Kids (facebook.com/lollipopkidsmidleton) sells children’s shoes and while the shop was hit badly by flooding, it has reopened and has gift vouchers for sale.

Bars and restaurants

Whether you are buying vouchers or just looking for somewhere to refuel during your shopping trip, several bars, cafés, restaurants, and bakeries have reopened after extensive flood damage.

These include Wallis’s Bar, Bite-size Café, and Pizzeria San Marco, all on Main Street, The Grumpy Bakers on Broderick St, and Monty’s Cafe on Roxboro Mews.

Fundraiser

Co-Op Superstores Midleton will host a festive fundraiser in aid of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul flood relief support efforts on Saturday, November 18.

There will be festive treats, competitions and carol singers from 1-2pm to enjoy on the day, with up to 50% off all Christmas lights, trees and decorations. Plus, some amazing Black Friday offers.

The ultimate local gift guide: Over 100 Irish shops and brands to buy from this Christmas