Cork business gets chanceat Ploughing
A small Cork city business will get a chance to impress almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships this month as part of the Local Enterprise Village.
Recycled paper stationery outlet, badly made books, supported by Local Enterprise Office, Cork City, is a book factory and print studio based in Togher. The business designs and makes recycled paper stationery, supplying its Irish-made notebooks, diaries, gift cards, and calendars containing a minimum of 75% recycled material to over 100 shops around the country.
The Local Enterprise Village initiative will see over 30 small businesses from across the country take a stand in the heart of this year’s Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois from 19-21 September.
Sean O'Sullivan, Founder and Design Director of badly made books, said he is excited to be participating in one of Ireland's biggest events.
Sean said: “It's a great opportunity to meet new customers and showcase our product to new potential markets. The Ploughing Championships is a major event every year, the first thing one might write in their diary for the year ahead, and hopefully that diary will be a badly made book in 2024!
“We are delighted to represent LEO Cork City at this year's Local Enterprise Village and are appreciative of the support our business has received from LEO over the years,” he added.
Niall O'Keeffe, Head of Enterprise, LEO Cork City, said: “The National Ploughing Championships is one of the biggest occasions on the Irish calendar and there are very few events that draw a crowd as large as this over three days.
“For micro enterprises this is a huge opportunity to engage with thousands of prospective customers every day and this could have a significant impact on their business.”
Some of the LEO clients exhibiting this year cover areas such as children’s clothing and games, agtech products, luxury bathing and skincare products, artisan food and drink producers, sustainable clothing and beauty products, and a range of innovative products from Ireland's best small businesses.
Year on year, the Local Enterprise Village proves to be one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Ploughing Championships.
Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, said: “For these small businesses, many only in their early years, to get a chance to have a stand at the Ploughing Championships is a significant milestone for them.
“The opportunity to meet with thousands of people at the Local Enterprise Village, which is one of the popular stands at the Ploughing is going to be great boast to their business.”
National Ploughing Association President James Sutton added: “It is marvellous to see that so many diverse and impressive businesses will be partaking in this year's Local Enterprise Village.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for these small businesses to showcase their products and wares to the large number of visitors that Ploughing attracts.”