This article is from page 7 of the 2012-01-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
BUSINESS groups in Ennis say an intensive ‘Shop Local’ campaign helped boost trade in the town during December.
Representatives of Ennis Chamber and Ennis Development Forum say local businesses reported an increase in takings last month compared to Christmas 2010.
The introduction of free morning parking has also been cited as one of the main reasons for bringing more shoppers to Ennis.
“It was way up on the last two years. There was definitely more people in the town and most people said their tills were way up”, said Aoife Madden of Ennis Development Forum.
Free parking was one of a number of initiatives rolled out by Ennis Town Council in conjunction with local businesses for Christmas.
“The free parking definitely brought more people in, In the last two years, people, with the free parking in Limerick, were thinking why would I bother coming into Ennis. They did not come in”.
Ms Madden said Ennis Street Radio, which played music in the town centre, allied to the unseasonably mild weather, helped create a more festive atmosphere.
“Takings were up and the atmosphere was way better than last year”, she added.
The ‘Shop Local’ campaign was launched in earnest at the start of December with the release of a festive Internet video.
Ennis Town – Share the Feeling sees Santa Claus turn to Ennis ‘The friendliest town in Ireland’ to help him after all of his elves fall sick on Christmas Eve.
Directed by local man Gavin Gallagher, the 2min 54sec video was shot in locations around the town and features a number of well-known politicians and businesspeople.
The video has so far attracted just 23,500 views on websites You Tube and Vimeo. It has been distributed to hundreds more people around the world through social networking sites.
Incoming President of Ennis Chamber said shoppers were more mindful of the benefits of supporting local businesses.
He said, “The Shop Local campaign made a big difference. People did make that extra effort to shop locally and that was appreciated.
“Also businesses seemed to be supporting other businesses, which is what its all about.
“With the parking too, people were staying in town that little bit longer in the morning”.
Mayor of Ennis, councillor Michael Guilfoyle said the Council would support future free parking initiatives if the circumstances “warranted it”.
Cllr Guilfoyle said cooperation between Ennis Town Council and local businesses had helped boost trade in the town during Christmas.
He added, “The businesses definitely made an effort and the free parking seems to have had an effect especially in the morning”.