Some smaller retailers in Tipperary feel the major chains are taking advantage of the lockdown to effectively steal their business.
The sale of non-essential products is prohibited during the six weeks of Level 5 restrictions.
However former Cashel Councillor Tom Wood says during the last lockdown some local businesses feel others have an unfair advantage.
He outlined a conversation he had with a local shop owner yesterday.
“A lot of business in the particular shop would be in cards – greeting cards, Christmas cards and things like that.”
“During the last close down – when the bigger supermarkets were allowed to stay open – some of them started to sell these items and continue to sell them.”
“The people are asking well why can’t I just have a customer inside my shop or a table inside the door and the door open and the person can buy from me?”
