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Traders urge people to Love Local


More than 5,000 leaflets have been printed by a traders’ association outlining the reasons why people should shop and dine locally.
‘Love Local’ is the new campaign launched by the Ballina-Killaloe Business Association to get local shoppers and diners to spend local.
Members of the Ballina-Killaloe Business Association want to strengthen the local economy and to develop the future of the two towns.
As Mariam O’Donovan, chairperson of the association explains, the choice and value for money is there for locals and visitors.
“That’s why we have developed a Love Local campaign to encourage people to shop local. By shopping and dining locally, people will be helping the local economy, ensuring the safety of local jobs and generating a feel-good factor, especially in the retail and hospitality sectors. This is vital now more than ever due to the difficult economic environment.
“To succeed, this campaign needs people to make a genuine effort, and we are asking all the people of Ballina and Killaloe and the ­surrounding area to support this campaign, not just between now and Christmas but also into 2013.
“Before you drive away or press the ‘Buy’ ­button online, customers should check out our brilliant local shops, as what they want may be right here in Ballina and Killaloe.
“Every euro spent in the area makes a difference,” she said.
The association is printing signs for all retail units in Ballina-Killaloe and these will be up within the week.
The leaflets will be placed in all shops, pubs, ­cafes and restaurants in the area and the ­association are asking all retailers to get behind the campaign. New banners will be placed around the two towns in order to encourage local spend.
Ms O’Donovan stresses the importance of spending locally, adding that it is important everyone needs to play their role in helping their local communities to survive and prosper. She points out everyone has spending power, whether large or small and it is people’s economic future, families, friends and neighbours, that spending will impact directly on.
The association is hoping to drive and grow the Love Local campaign over the coming years with the support of the local community.
It has been very active over the past year and hopes to develop business even further, thanks to securing funding for a new visitor map, social media training and new animator, Una Ryan.
Lobbying by BKBA resulted in Waterways Ireland completing a clean-up of the canal by the bridge.
Members were surveyed recently on what they want to be trained in with the help of a questionnaire and the results of this will drive the training that is being provided.
The purpose of social media training is to increase the profile of the twin towns as a dynamic business and leisure location, where businesses collaborate to develop opportunities, increase visitor spend and grow business and jobs.
Ms Ryan is also planning to run three ­networking events in the year as part of plans to ensure the association will become a crucial resource for members and enterprises and provide a two-way flow of information for and about its members conducting business in the area.
She also hopes to identify project ideas eligible for LEADER funding that will result in increased economic activity in the area, with the help of two LEADER public information events so that members are fully aware of the funding opportunities that exist.

 

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