Waterford consumers encouraged to Click Waterford and Look for Local

Local Enterprise Office Waterford recently launched its ‘Click Waterford’ campaign to encourage Waterford shoppers to click and support local in the run up to Christmas.

The digital and social media campaign, supported by WLRfm, Winterval and Waterford in Your Pocket, puts the spotlight on the vast array of artists, designers, food producers and craft makers that Waterford is home to. 

Featured artists, designers and producers have the opportunity to have their profiles and products posted on a dedicated Click Waterford directory on the respective websites.

Click Waterford

Richie Walsh, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Waterford, said the campaign aims to assist local businesses on the back of a challenging year and encourage consumers to shop Waterford and support local.

“There is an understandable narrative coming from all counties encouraging shoppers to stay local, spend local and support local, and Waterford is no different.”

“The livelihood of many small businesses was threatened as bricks and mortar stores took a big hit during the pandemic.  However, many of these small business owners and sole traders took the initiative to pivot their businesses towards online selling by developing ecommerce sites.  Now and in the run up to Christmas, while we cannot browse in store of local shops, workshops, and galleries, we can browse and buy from their online stores.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of having access to local products and services and Local Enterprise Office Waterford provided Trading Online Vouchers (TOVs) to over 350 Waterford based businesses, which covered 90% of the cost of developing an ecommerce website, along with ecommerce resources, mentoring and support services. As a result, hundreds of local businesses have transformed how they provide goods and services online, making it easier to buy from them than ever before and enabling them to continue to trade even while their doors are closed.

The Click Waterford campaign is running concurrently with a national ‘Look for Local’ communications campaign to encourage the public and businesses to seek out products and services from businesses in their local area.  The campaign is led by the Local Enterprise Offices and supported by Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Enterprise Ireland, and the Local Authorities.

“COVID-19 has had an irrevocable effect on local businesses of all scales in all sectors.  However, if we all can play a small part in helping them by shopping and supporting local, we can face into 2021 with renewed energy and confidence.”

To find out more about the supports available from Local Enterprise Office Waterford to help your business respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, call 0761 102 905 or visit www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford/

Local Enterprise Office Waterford – helping your business on the road to recovery.