Tramore takes Local Business and Community Enterprise Initiative title in Begin Together Awards

Tuesday, October 6th was a day for celebration in Waterford city and county, as Tramore was announced as winner of the Bank of Ireland Overall Local Business and Community Response Initiative.

Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together Awards, now in its fifth year, recognise the spirit of enterprise and resilience in towns and cities across the country.  Tramore, as winner of the Overall Local Business and Community Enterprise Initiative impressed the judges with its display of true community spirit by looking after the vulnerable in the community and developing a series of business and community initiatives that helped overcome some of the challenges of COVID-19.

The prize fund of €20,000 will be put to good use as €5,000 will go towards the development of the town’s new Sensory Garden and €15,000 will act as a Community Contribution lever towards a larger town project, in partnership with Waterford Council and Waterford Chamber.

The award was announced by former Ulster and Irish International rugby player, Tommy Bowe, who commented that the “winning entry demonstrated through a powerful visual presentation, with an excellent panel, how the whole town responded to the many unprecedented challenges of COVID-19.”

“Overall, the town demonstrated exceptional initiative and leadership by businesses and the community in their response to COVID-19.  The judges also noted that many town improvement initiatives are being developed at this time.”

Richie Walsh, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Waterford said that the winning presentation captured the true essence of Tramore.  “Tramore is an excellent example of a town where local authority, business agencies, community organisations and people on the ground work together for common purpose in creating a new shared sense of what the town can be and should be.”

“A place which is innovative and entrepreneurial on the one hand but equally is mindful of all its citizens and their welfare on the other, as well as warm and welcoming to its visitors. The kind of a town that you would like to live in, work in, invest in or visit”

“It is a credit to all those who put so much hard work and effort into the submission and gave the wider public the opportunity to see just how special Tramore is.”

The winning submission and presentation was a collaborative effort between Waterford Chamber, Waterford Council and Local Enterprise Office Waterford, that encapsulated and practically showcased the mammoth efforts by local businesses and the community in making Tramore a deserving winner of the Begin Together Local Business and Community Response Initiative.

Enterprising Towns Tramore