Recession-busting Nollaig Ennistymon

ONE of the joys of a small business is that it can reinvent itself at short notice and without huge costs. The same can be said for small towns – in Ennistymon businesses are working to do just that.

Rather than sitting back and moaning about the recession, businesses are actively pooling their advertising budgets together to advertise and market the town. Each year, with the help of FÁS and Project Ennistymon, a community and business development group, the town was able to erect Christmas lights. This year, given the challenging economic times that exists, the businesses realised that they needed to do a little bit more to attract customers to their premises.
Nollaig Ennistymon, Christmas Ennistymon, is the marketing initiative created by the businesses and the community with the generous help of Project Ennistymon. Sharon Malone the business development officer for Project Ennistymon has been instrumental in getting this initiative off the ground.
Ms Malone was employed to create a marketing initiative for Christmas and this meant that businesses could look after their own day-to-day trading while Sharon did the organising. All the businesses involved in this venture will display the Nollaig Ennistymon logo designed by local graphic artist Kate Conway in their premises.
Raffles, discounts, in-store promotions plus complimentary mince pies and other treats will be offered by participating shops throughout December. Gift vouchers won in the various competitions can be redeemed in any of the businesses bearing the Nollaig Ennistymon logo.
Nollaig Ennistymon will kick off on December 11 with the official turning on of the Christmas lights in the town and the Christmas tree at Teach Ceoil – erected by the Ennistymon Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. There will also be carol singing in the Square at the weekends.
“What is really special about this venture,” says Sandra of Off the Rails Boutique is that “so many of the businesses are willing to give it a try”. Undoubtedly, this type of campaign suits some businesses more than others, but it is wonderful that the businesses of Ennistymon can see the bigger picture and realise that any advertising of the town will in the long run mean more business for the town.”
Another wonderful feature of the campaign, according to Deirdre from Tigín na Mbláth on Parliament Street, is that there is a warm connection between the business community and the local community.
The school students generously give their time carol singing as do the adults in the Lismorahaun singers as well as the Trojan help of the FÁS workers and co-operation of the Ennistymon branch of CCÉ.
The Courthouse Gallery is running its events in conjunction with the festivities and definitely worth a visit.
Ennistymon is such a picturesque town and with close proximity to bigger centres like Ennis, Limerick, Galway, it is ideal for day trippers to visit, not to mention the pleasure it gives to those who are fortunate enough to live in or close to the town.
An unique factor about Ennistymon is that practically all the businesses in the town are owner- managed and indeed a lot of the businesses are family-run businesses – a truly unique concept in this day of multinationals. This ensures good service and good after-sales services.
Ennistymon has an eclectic mix of artisan shops. It is a town that boasts it own optician, dentist, doctor, homeopathic centre and veterinary surgeon. It has the butcher, the baker and while not exactly the candlestick maker, there are wonderful gift shops with exotic candle collections.
It has a printer, framer, art studios as well as banks, chemist shops, supermarkets, hair and beauty salons, and there are two barbers, a florist and a garden centre, restaurant, pubs and lovely coffee shops.
Three secondary schools, a community centre and a library complete the ingredients of a small, rural town.
Nollaig Ennistymon is organising a whole range of events, in-store and on the streets. Customers will be feted on mulled wine and mince pies treated to carol singing.
Events kick off on December 7 with the ceremonial turning on of the Christmas lights, carol singing and mulled wine later at The Falls Hotel.