Shopping campaign a success

ENNIS’ Shop Local campaign has been described as a roaring success by organisers.
Ennis Chamber and Ennis Development Forum launched and implemented the Shop Local Campaign in December.  The campaign saw a promotional video filmed of Ennis Town – Share the Feeling, which quickly spread through the world of social media with nearly 25,000 hits.  The campaign was a top-three finalist in the large towns category of RTÉ’s Business Christmas Towns Competition and was featured on The Business with George Lee.
Ennis Chamber, along with the Development Forum, praised the close on 100 businesses that got involved in the initiative, donating over €12,000 to the project, with €7,000 worth of giveaways to customers distributed through the ‘Pop-Up’ Ennis Street Radio.
The contributions received funded the filming, production and distribution of the Santa in Ennis video as well as the establishment of the street radio, which was also supported by Ennis Town Council.  The Ennis Christmas Shop Local Campaign was further enhanced by Ennis Town Council, giving free parking to customers before 12pm every day during December and up to January 7 to incorporate both the Christmas shopping period and the sales.
Ennis Street Radio played Christmas and upbeat music on the streets for a full week before Christmas.  Housed in Salthouse Lane and broadcast by local man Ger Sweeney, the radio gave the town a festive feel. 
Local businesses and community groups used the radio to promote and create awareness of what was on offer and the shoppers had the chance to win fantastic prizes.  The competitions were a way of encouraging customers to come into the town and shop in Ennis.
Ennis Chamber CEO Rita McInerney said, “The feedback from both shoppers and business owners has been fantastic.
The radio created a buzz and energy around the town, which is important in these times and the free parking from Ennis Town Council gave real value to the customers.
The Christmas Shop Local Campaign contributed to a boost in trade and also provided incentives for customers to return to the town in the future.” 
Aoife Madden, chairperson of Ennis Development Forum added, “The aim of the Shop Local Campaign is to sustain local jobs and the local economy and by working together providing a broad range of quality good-value products, excellent customer service and further initiatives, Ennis can certainly achieve this.”