Bantry piloting retail project
A programme to help local businesses thrive in the face of current and future challenges was launched this week in West Cork.
Cork County Council has chosen Bantry to pilot the Retail Support Programme, which involves a business breakfast and networking event on 15 May retailers in the town.
It will highlight the learnings of a number of experienced guest speakers in retail, food and tourism to discuss the challenges facing the retail sector and how to overcome them.
The breakfast event will mark the start of a series of retail and town support events to be piloted in the town in association with the Local Enterprise Office.
Speaking about the programme, County Mayor, Patrick Gerard Murphy said: “Retail and small towns are facing increased challenges from more global competition and online trading. Bantry was selected as a peripheral county town which has an important mix of retail, food and tourism for the pilot. Retailers have to work harder than ever to compete but can have the edge when it comes to customer service which consumers are craving now more than ever.
“It is vital today to have a cross platform approach of both store and online, both of which need to be backed up with impeccable customer service, something that larger chains do not always offer. I look forward to seeing Bantry businesses thriving through this programme and look forward to seeing this pilot replicated in other towns.”
The programme will include onsite mentoring and business development, one to one website advisory clinics and the opportunity to avail of a €2,500 online grand provided by the Local Enterprise Office. Participants will also have the opportunity to complete the Level 5 Retail Digital Marketing eLearning Course offered by Retail Ireland Skillnet to improve their ecommerce offering.
Other supports under consideration by Cork County Council include free wifi for the town and further festival support funding to drive footfall. The end result will be real life solutions and ideas in combating the current challenging retail conditions and increased global competition from online trading.