This article is from page 8 of the 2008-02-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
AS a multi-national supermarket chain prepares to open on the out- Skirts of Kilrush, the local Chamber of Commerce has plans in place to ensure the future of the town centre.
On February 24, Tesco will open its doors on the Ennis Road, with free car parking provided to its shoppers.
From next Monday, however, shop- pers will also be able to avail of free parking in the town centre, as 23 businesses in the town provide a Parking Refund Scheme.
The Kilrush Parking Refund Scheme stipulates that customers and motorists who spend a specified amount in the participating business- es will be entitled, on proving their parking cost, to either a €1 refund or
a free parking scratch disc.
The scheme will apply to Kilrush Town Council’s dual system of pay parking, including scratch parking discs and street parking meters.
Work on this initiative began un- der former chamber president Karen Whelan and will be brought to fruition by the new chairman, Paul Coady.
“The objective of the scheme is to encourage customers to shop in Kil- rush and enjoy a refund of their park- ing cost,” he said.
Kilrush Town Council supported the initiative by altering the street metres to provide ticket counterfoils.
Shoppers who use the street metres will hand over the ticket counterfoil to participating businesses (upon paying for purchases) and will re-
ceive a €1 coin refund or free scratch disc. Similarly, shoppers who have a scratch disc will need to retain the scratched disc and the receipt of pur- chase to hand over to the participat- ing business on their next visit.
Town Clerk, Fiona Mooney said, “The chamber should be praised for its initiative. However, it must be pointed out that the Kilrush Town Council parking byelaws will remain in place between 10am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
“Valid parking tickets and discs must also be displayed during these Wb enone
Mayor of Kilrush, Cllr. Tom Clyne (Ind) said, “It 1s marvellous to see Kilrush Chamber and its members actively encouraging the people of west Clare to shop local.”