ENNIS has once again claimed the title of ‘Ireland’s Friendliest Place’. The county capital scooped the award at the AIBMS Retail Excellence Awards ceremony at the Galmont Hotel last weekend which also saw Clare’s Wild Atlantic Optician win Optician of the Year.
Ennis retail stores made a huge impression on the mystery shoppers in July of this year to secure the town a shortlisting for this award, along with Ashbourne and Moynalty in County Meath, Monaghan Town and Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim. This was followed by a public vote which took place in October.
Mayor of Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy said, “This recognition is testament to all those retailers in the town who are committed to making Ennis a great place to visit and shop. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to vote for Ennis.”
She added that this award follows other recent successes for the town with awards for Tidiest Urban Large Centre in the national Tidy Towns, Age Friendliest Town and Purple Flag award for safe nighttime environment.
“Congratulations are owing to all in the collaboration between the various stakeholders and the Council and Ennis Municipal District who strive to achieve this recognition. We can be hopeful that there may be a fifth accolade in a row, as Clare County Council are shortlisted for best Local Authority of 2022 by Chambers Ireland, which takes place November 24.”
Speaking about the Friendliest Town award Carmel Kirby, Director of Service with Clare County Council, said, “This win is an acknowledgement of the strong collaborative work by the retail and community sector and other stakeholders in Ennis, to provide a unique town centre experience.”
The awards were hosted in the Galmont Hotel in Galway last Saturday night and were attended by 500 retail industry executives.
Speaking following the announcement of the winners at the awards Duncan Graham, Managing Director of Retail Excellence Ireland, said, “I am delighted to announce the winners of the AIBMS Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2022. The judging panel has been so impressed by the high standard of retailers across the country and it was extraordinarily difficult to whittle our shortlists down to just ten winners.
“Our awards night is a marquee event in the Irish retail calendar, and we are proud to honour the best and brightest in the industry once again this year. Of course, we are experiencing a tough trading environment at present, but the drive and ambition of retailers across Ireland ensure we can look forward to 2023 with renewed optimism.”
Hubert O’Donoghue, General Manager, AIB Merchant Services, said, “These awards are a clear testament to just how vibrant the Irish retail sector is. It is humbling and exciting to see the enthusiasm, dedication and commitment of retailers up and down the country and it gives us great confidence that the sector has the skills and determination to overcome current challenges and thrive into the future.”
Established by Retail Excellence in 1997, the Awards is the biggest event in the Irish retail industry calendar and aims to promote best practice and encourage high standards in the Irish retail industry.