Business gold rush predicted for the town

ENNIS retailers are hoping to benefit from an anticipated gold strike in the county town in the coming weeks.
The launch this week, by Ennis Chamber, of the Ennis Gold gift voucher project is being welcomed by the nearly 60 local businesses that are participating in the scheme. It’s seen as a perfect way to create additional local spending at time when it is expected that the traditional Christmas spree will be somewhat curtailed due to the economic downturn.
Chamber president Guy Flouch has urged local people to back the scheme. “Consider that every time you buy one of these vouchers, you are ensuring that money is spent with local retailers and not returned to the coffers of a company with its base in Dublin or further afield. Shop local and save local jobs,” he said.
He added, “Another important dimension of the scheme is that members of the Clare diaspora, currently living in London or Boston or Sydney, can buy the vouchers for local residents on-line. So, though thousands of miles away, they can still shop in the streets of Ennis.”
A wide range of businesses are taking part, from ladies’ wear and gift stores through to toys and confectionery outlets to restaurants. A full list of participating stores is available at www.ennischamber.ie.
“It really is a thoughtful gift,” said Chamber CEO, Rita McInerney. “It will solve many of your difficult gift decisions, whether you’re seeking to provide something thoughtful to staff, friends or loved ones or as a simple thank-you present. The gift gives the person receiving it a wide range of decisions as to what to buy.”
The vouchers, available in denominations of €5, €10, €20 or €50 can be purchased at face value in attractive gift wallets. From its launch, the vouchers will be available from the offices of Ennis Chamber or St Francis Credit Union, who are sponsoring the scheme. They will also be available for purchase from www.ennischamber.ie. Internet purchasers, who may live abroad, will be able to choose to have the voucher posted directly to the address of the person receiving the gift.