Buy Up The Town Launched

A new initiative to generate business in Clonmel town centre called the “Buy up the town” Campaign was launched recently. Promoted by the Nationalist and South Tipp Today, the campaign is designed to create extra footfall in Clonmel town centre. The campaign lasts for four weeks starting on the 26th March and 30 shops will participate. The participating stores will be identified in both papers every week and will have a ‘Buy up the town” poster displayed at the front of their premises.

It works as follows: it is effectively a lottery-type competition with a prize fund of €6,000 distributed in the form of vouchers to be spent in any of the 30 participating outlets. People can enter as often as they like. They receive coupons in the participating stores (no purchase is required!) and entries are then sent to the Nationalist offices at Queen Street or South Tipp Today offices at Irishtown.

Every week, two finalists will be picked from the Nationalist and two from South Tipp Today. There will be 16 finalists in all and a draw will be held for a first prize of €2,000, a second prize of €1,000 and four runner-up prizes of €500, which will be given in vouchers to spend in the participating shops.

This initiative should create additional foot fall to all participating retailers. The objective is to highlight the value and range of shopping available in Clonmel, and how buying local supports local jobs and businesses.

Details from Siobhan at South Tipp Today (086 1637240) or Eimear at The Nationalist (086 1535032).

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Clonmel Voucher Scheme

As previously posted, I am taking part in the Clonmel Chamber sponsored exercise on improving the town.
The plan is that by “brain-storming” the various issues that arise around the town, a cogent report will be prepared that can be presented to the Borough Council for their consideration. As all the contributors are rate-payers, I hope we are listened to.
The first general meetings have focused on a Voucher shopping scheme for the town retailers.
A bonus, gift or payment up to a maximum of €250 per person per year is not liable for tax or PRSI (from employer or employee) provided it is not paid in cash.
To encourage those who get their earnings in Clonmel to spend in Clonmel, a Shopping Voucher Scheme will be introduced.
Clonmel Chamber will sell vouchers at face value.
Vouchers will be exchangeable for goods and services from participating Clonmel businesses.
Vouchers will not be exchangeable for cash.
Participating businesses will receive payment against valid vouchers at Clonmel Chamber in accordance with the terms of the Clonmel Shopping Voucher Agreement.
This has worked very well in other towns, so it will hopefully work just as well in Clonmel.
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