A CORK building firm is refusing to take the recession lying down – and has produced specially-made high-viz jackets to help create a positive atmosphere on a Clonakilty building site.

All the workers on the massive Waterfront site in the west Cork town are wearing the jackets with the message "F**k negativity, smile, you are alive and working on the Waterfront" emblazoned across the back of them.

The jackets are the brainchild of husband and wife Maria and Bobby Hilliard of Hillback Construction, who have got the jackets made for all the workers on their site. The jackets have become so popular that numerous walkers on the roads around Clonakilty have taken to wearing them at night.

Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, Bobby said, "We are not going to take this recession lying down here in Clonakilty. We don't do lying down.

"Everybody is going on about negativity at the moment. We have about 50 to 60 guys on site who are worried about their jobs and the recession. So we got the jackets made with the positive message across the back of them.

"This has created a great sense of goodwill and given the lads a great buzz. They have great enthusiasm for their jobs. We got them done about three weeks ago and so far we have 150 of them printed. It is amazing when something clicks with people how popular it can become.

"People all over Clonakilty are wearing them when walking at night. I have been giving them out to people. To be honest with you it is costing me a fortune, as we have had so many jackets made. We are also getting tee-shirts made for the student radio station in UCC to give out.

"My wife Maria, who is Swedish, does all the interior design, renting and financing of our properties. She is the real backbone to the operation that is bucking the national trend."

The Waterfront project will reshape Clonakilty, with the development of a new town centre, a new high street, and a boardwalk along the river. It is being built on the site of Clonakilty's GAA grounds, which were sold for almost €9m at the height of the economic boom.

The GAA club is building a state-of-the-art clubhouse and playing facilities at grounds on the Dunmanway road outside of the town.

"We will be building here for the next four or five years on a nine-and-a-half-acre site," said Bobby. "At the moment we are employing all local lads, and between the Waterfront site and the group that are developing the new GAA grounds, there is nearly €20m being spent in Clonakilty."