Author: administrator@carrickonshannon.ie

Dear Retailers & Business Owners,

 

On behalf of the Retail Committee of Carrick-on-Shannon Chamber of Commerce I am writing to you to update you on our most recent progress.

With regard to the Public Realm Scheme Part 8 Urban enhancement Project the council are moving forward with the process as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Chamber remains fully engaged with the Council and are meeting on a regular basis to enable full co-operation with the business’ and the scheme so as to work in everyone’s favour. It is important if you have issues regarding the scheme that you engage with the retail committee and only through this forum can you be guaranteed a platform to raise your concerns. In any case the project is moving forward and we have an opportunity as business operators to work together to get the best outcome for everyone. It has been made clear that retailers main concern is parking, and this will be continuously raised by our committee. We are holding a public meeting in The Landmark Hotel on Thursday 13^th June at 7.30pm this may be the last opportunity to raise any issues prior to commencement of works. This meeting is open to everyone.

In relation to parking in the town centre it is in the interest of all business owners and operators to ensure that their staff and indeed owners themselves refrain from parking for extended periods of time for any reason in the precious spaces allocated for our customers. The council have provided ample free parking for all staff members and owners to avail of prior to work. It is vital that the business owners and operators support this initiative to send a clear message that parking is available for customers and the town centre is well and truly open for business! With this in mind the Retail Committee has proposed a trial scheme where any vehicles that are considered to be occupying customer car parking spaces for extended periods of time the registration number will be notified to the authorised officers. This is not a penalty but considered a last resort to keep spaces for shoppers which is vital to keep customers in the town centre and the spaces continuously available.

We are proposing an incentive scheme to encourage shoppers in the retail parks to continue shopping in the town centre. This is a huge target market that travels to our town every day and an exciting incentive for the town centre traders. To be part of this and many other new incentives it is important to be a fully paid up member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Leitrim Co Council have recently made available an Occupation of Vacant Commercial Premises Incentive Scheme. This will be available until 31^st December 2020. It allows for grants to be paid in relation to relief of rates for qualifying vacant commercial properties and new business. Further details are available to members from the Chamber offices.

We hope to meet and discuss the issues with as many people as possible on Thursday 13^th June look forward to seeing you all there!

 

Brendan Kieran

on behalf of the Retail Committee Carrick Chamber of Commerce.

The AGM of Carrick Chamber took place on Wed 13 Feb 2019 in Leitrim Co Co Council Chamber. Chamber President Colm McGrath opened the meeting by welcoming the large attendance and stated how delighted he was to see such a big turnout of Members. After the minutes and officers, reports were adopted, Colm proceeded to the election of officers, he himself was re-elected as President, Paul O’Brien OBN Financial was elected as CEO replacing Gerry Faughnan who was elected as PRO, Claire Moran Cathal L Flynn Solicitors was elected as Secretary replacing Sharon Garland Kilmore Signs, Brendan Lowe Brendan Lowe & Sons was elected Treasurer, replacing Councillor Finola McGuire The Magnet, Ray Gannon Gannons Eggs & Poultry retained his position as Communications & Membership Coordinator, Gerry Reynolds Rosebank Retail Park was elected as Council Liaison Officer replacing Bernadette Gallagher Gallagher Auctioneers.

Retail Excellence, the largest Retail representative body in Ireland, has announced the winners of their annual Awards held in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney last  Saturday, 10^th November.

 

The Awards, which are backed by AIB Merchant Services, were presented by energetic TV personality Hector Ó hEochagáin and attended by more than 500 Irish retail industry executives.

 

Carrick-on-Shannon in Co. Leitrim came runner in the category Ireland’s Friendliest Place.  The category winner was Slane, in Co. Meath.

 

Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council Sean McGowan said “This is an outstanding achievement for Carrick-on-Shannon.  The award is a measure of the helpfulness and first class service that the business community in Carrick-on-Shannon provide. Thank you to each and every one of the businesses in the town for their on-going work and commitment to make Carrick-on-Shannon the friendly and vibrant place that it is. Continued success to everyone involved.”

 

Group CEO of Retail Excellence David Fitzsimons said “We are delighted to recognize and award the very best in Irish retail all of whom have shown an unquestionable commitment to meeting and exceeding customer expectations as well as innovation in store and in-service delivery. We are particularly pleased that across all of our categories of awards Irish retailers, both big and small, urban and rural competed to deliver that exceptional standard of service to customers regardless of their size.’

 

“We look forward to working with the finalists, entrants and members into the future to assist in their endeavours and continue driving standards in Irish retail.”

 

“Congratulations to all the winners. These retailers represent the best in retail industry in Ireland. AIB Merchant Services are proud to partner with Retail Excellence Ireland on such a prestigious event.” said Robert Doherty, Director of Product at AIBMS.

 

Established by Retail Excellence in 1997, The Awards is the biggest event in the Irish retail industry calendar and aims to promote best practice and encourage high standards in the Irish retail industry.

Press Release

19 October 2018
 
Singapore Free Trade Agreement signing is great opportunity for Irish export growth

Commenting on today’s signature of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union and Singapore at the ASEM Summit in Brussels (19 October 2018) Ian Talbot, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland commented,

“We welcome today’s signing of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement at the Asia Europe Meeting taking place in Brussels.

Ireland’s ability to benefit from the huge negotiating strength and resources of the European Union’s trade infrastructure continues to lead to ever greater export opportunities across the globe, providing new markets to counter the uncertainties prevailing in some of our traditional markets.

Deepening our relationship with the open, dynamic Singaporean economy will also lead to improvements in our own capabilities and lead to quality employment opportunities.

The signing of the EU-Singapore FTA is also of strategic importance in the context of significant future EU trade negotiations with economies such as Australia and New Zealand, but also for future trade negotiations with the UK, where the deal represents the kind of modern wide-ranging agreement it is possible to achieve with a dynamic, sophisticated economy.”