Clon - Best Shops in Ireland?

Michael McCarthy wrote Clon into the final 10 towns in the recent Irish Times online competition.  Now it is the turn of the shops. 

Perhaps there is someone out there that can write one of our shops to the top. I’ve had a quick glance at the Facebook page and I see that there already a write up on Etain Hickey’s. Note the extract below and you can check it out at the following links:-

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2012/0609/1224317479454.html

or

http://www.facebook.com/irishtimes

---  Mick Hanly

Times may be tough in retail, but it’s not time to close up shop.

Far from it. Ireland’s small independent shops are fighting to stay on the scene, with the help of you, the loyal customer. Here at the Magazine, we love to shop, and we know you do too. From your friendly local grocer to your favourite boutique; from the bookshop that survives against the odds, the interiors shop selling beautiful wares to the old style drapery and haberdashery you could spend hours in; from the cobbler who mends your shoes to the emporium specialising in coffee, or hardware, or fishing gear – we want to hear about them, and let all our readers know.

Later in the summer we will gather together the best independent Irish-owned shops around the country in a special edition of the Magazine celebrating the cream of Irish retailers.

So whatever your reasons for loving your local shop, be it the atmosphere, the top-notch customer service, the value, the best Irish designs, quirky sales ideas, delicious treats, whether it caters for small budgets or big blow-outs, we want to hear about them.

Tell us about your favourite shop or shop-keepers by emailing bestofirishshops@irishtimes.com or commenting on our Facebook page, facebook.com/irishtimes.

We want to hear from you.

Merchant Services Update

For the last number of months we have been working on a project with regards to the Merchant Services, your credit/debit terminal machines.  

We initially asked you to forward the rates you are currently on so that we could make like for like comparisons. 

We have now negotiated preferential rates with AIB for Clonakilty Chambers provided enough members come together as a group!

Please review the rates the providers have now offered to us:

We would ask you to please take a look at your Merchant Statement.  We need you to make the necessary comparisons to understand if you could possibly make substantial savings within your business with these new rates.

If you believe these rates are substantially better than you are currently being offered then please email Mick at the chamber email address to confirm this.  If you believe you are presently offered better rates, then please simply just email to say “I am ok”.  

Finally, we have also been investigating the cost of apps with regard to credit card payments.  If you have a friend overseas who runs their own business and who currently offers credit card facilities using apps you might ask them if we could speak to them with regards this process.  This is an alternative to the typical providers we have in Ireland but we believe it is worth investigating also. 

There has been a lot of time and effort involved with this project so your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

---  Geraldine & Pam.

The West Cork Shared Story

Dear Chamber Member,

I recently attended a couple of Failte Ireland workshops aimed at preparing a ‘pitch’ for West Cork that could be used by anyone with an interest in promotion destination West Cork. The end result is linked here and above on the masthead. It can be used as is, or manipulated to be incorporated into individual marketing and promotion initiatives.  

The idea is to use the concept of the Shared Story:

“The most successful places have a simple Shared Story to tell.

It’s a commonly agreed way of describing the place, that everyone uses when they’re planning how to invest in improvements or new experiences for visitors, and when they’re talking to potential visitors.

It’s a short and simple story that makes it clear what is special and different about the place. But it mustn’t over promise. It must go with the grain of the place, and be authentic and true.

The Shared Story tries to capture the essence of the place by focusing on that place’s distinctive qualities: it isn’t a comprehensive list of everything that’s on offer.

If everyone uses the same broad ideas to develop the tourism product, and then ‘sings from the same song sheet’, the image of West Cork will be much stronger and more positive. And that will mean more impact, and more visitors. 

We’re not suggesting that everyone’s marketing has to be the same – far from it. Some people may want to use the Shared Story verbatim in their marketing. Others will draw on it for themes, ideas and inspiration.

We hope everyone will use components from it to bring out what is special and different about West Cork – both in what they offer to visitors, and in their marketing. This will help to build a stronger, clearer picture in a very competitive marketplace

Please do take the time to have a read (here) and consider it when updating promotional and marketing material / websites.

---  Mick Hanly

Networking at Emmet Hotel

We are pleased to announce that our next Networking event will take place next Thursday 14^th  June at 9am in the Emmet Hotel, Emmet Square, Clonakilty.  

We would like to build  on the huge success of our past events and would encourage all members / sectors & potential new members to attend.

Networking Structure.

·         Coffee morning style, it is intend to have relaxed / informal theme.

·         The event should also act as a forum for members to engage in local business issues / updates. 

·         It is anticipated that the event should run for around 45 minutes in duration

·         Participants should Sign-in at the event. Provide contact details, including business name, email & website(if available). This info is to be used to build a data base / mail shot & assist in logging of potential new members.

·         Participants should make extra effort to introduce themselves to new people / businesses. Groupings of old acquaintances / friends should be discouraged until towards the end of the session; in the case of new acquaintances being made, please introduce them into existing groups of friends. 

·         Over the next few events it is hoped that a short presentation slot for news, offers or promotions will be organized for members. Alternatively should you wish to make an announcement at the up-coming event, please contact Stephen Smith at Edge Architecture Ltd – 087 9213512    

--  Stephen Smith

Tourism Meeting - Monday, 10 June

 

 

 

 

The next tourism meeting takes place next Monday 11th June in the Boardroom, Hartes Courtyard at 7pm.

 

On the agenda

• Jungle City
• Clonakilty 400/Gathering 2013
• Michael Collins Festival
• Christmas Lights

Any other items to be added, email me at alanlowney@hotmail.com

---  Alan Lowney

General Information Meeting on 12th June in The Quality Hotel at 8pm

Dear Chamber Member,

As mentioned at our AGM, we’re looking at holding a quarterly general information meeting for the Chamber members.  The idea is to give you, the members, the opportunity to come along and be informed and to inform yourself about Chamber matters.  Everyone might not have the opportunity to keep up to date with emails and people may like the chance to ask questions, make suggestions or give criticism/advice.

 The General Information Meeting is on 12th June in The Quality Hotel at 8pm.

The Chamber is you, the members and we’d like to keep you fully appraised of matters relating to you.

Regards,

Mick Hanly, Administrator, Clonakilty Chamber of Commerce, 4 Harte’s Courtyard, Clonakilty, West Cork

Email:- chamber@clonakilty.ie Web:- www.clonakilty.ie Tel:- 353-23-8858910 Mob:- 086-8747558 Facebook: Facebook.com/ClonChamber Twitter @clonchamber

The Chamber is appreciative for the superb photography by Dermot Sullivan whose coverage of the recent Clon'trepeneur event was instrumental in promoting the program success.  

You can find other examples of his work at the website linked here.