“LOOK FOR LOCAL” CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO HIGHLIGHT MEATH BUSINESSES
BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS ASKED TO #LOOKFORLOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS AND SUPPORT BUSINESSES AND JOBS
Front Row: L-R Rebecca Wilkinson, Wilkinsons Jewellers, Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive, Meath County Council, Damian English T.D., Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Lorna Cooney, LEO Meath
Back Row: L-R Gerry McDonnell, Interactive Displays Ireland, Cllr. David Gilroy, Cathaoirleach Meath County Council, Mark Christal, Divisional Manager, Regions & Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Ireland and Joe English, LEO Meath.
Consumers and businesses in Meath are being encouraged to shop local this Christmas and are reminded of the huge range of goods and services they can access on their own doorsteps with a new Government campaign to ‘Look For Local’ launched in Meath County Council Offices on Monday 30th November
Jackie Maguire, CEO Meath County Council, David Gilroy Cathaoirleach / Chair of Meath Coco, Joe English, Head of Enterprise, LEO Meath, Lorna Cooney, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, LEO Meath, Mark Christal Manager Regions and Entrepreneurship at Enterprise Ireland, Rebecca Wilkinson, Owner of Wilkinson’s Jewellers, Navan, Gerry McDonnell, Managing Director, Interactive Displays Ireland, Oldcastle launched the campaign with Local Enterprise Office Meath to encourage shoppers to ‘Look for Local’ this Christmas following a challenging year for small businesses.
The Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English T.D., said; “It has been a year like no other for many Irish businesses and retailers. The Government have assisted thousands of local businesses since the onset of Covid-19 to pivot and change the way they operate through the Business Continuity Voucher and the Trading Online Voucher from the Local Enterprise Offices. Many are now in a stronger position to meet the needs of their customers who will ‘Look for Local’ when they are in a position to spend with them and in doing so, they will help sustain local jobs in their communities.”
The Local Enterprise Office Meath “Look for Local” campaign, which is funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, aims to highlight small Meath businesses in every sector, asking that people continue to build on the recent groundswell of support shown to local businesses when looking to buy goods or services.
Since January, the Local Enterprise Offices nationally have approved over 11,000 Trading Online Vouchers for small businesses, helping them to create or adapt their online trading presence. Over 12,060 Business Continuity Vouchers to small businesses have also been approved so far this year, while over 55,000 people have received Covid-19 specific training or mentoring from their Local Enterprise Office. LEO Meath have supported over 370+ Meath Businesses with a Trading Online Voucher to help their businesses go online.
In 2019 Local Enterprise Office supported companies created 3,149 new jobs across the country. In total, the Local Enterprise Offices have financially supported over 7,400 companies who support 38,535 jobs in communities right across the country.
Several Local Enterprise Office companies who availed of supports in recent months to help them through the impact of the pandemic were in attendance at the launch today. This included Wilkinson’s Jewellers in Navan who availed of a Trading Online Voucher to help their business grow their online presence. Another client was Interactive Displays Ireland who developed new products for Covid 19 Return to Work equipment including occupancy management systems, Outdoor sanitizers and hand hygiene stations to businesses all across Ireland.
The campaign will be promoted by Local Enterprise Offices across the country along with Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities who will all be promoting the ‘Look for Local’ message over the coming months. It will be supported by national and local advertising and marketing. The campaign will highlight Local Enterprise Office client companies across a range of sectors to spotlight the options out there for those who want to ‘Look for Local’ in the coming months
Joe English, Head of Enterprise for LEO Meath said; This has been one of the most challenging years for Irish businesses in recent history. The Local Enterprise Offices have been working closely with thousands of companies and entrepreneurs to provide financial and training supports to help them navigate these unprecedented times. Now we want to try and encourage more consumers, but also businesses, to look local if they require goods or services. If they are looking online, we want them to see if there is someone local who can help them and to try to support the small businesses and jobs in their local communities. Small businesses across the country have had to pivot or change their models during this year and now more than ever they deserve our support.”
Mark Christal, Divisional Manager, Regions & Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Ireland said;“The Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland have been on the front line of helping businesses throughout this pandemic and have played a significant role in supporting thousands of businesses. The Look for Local campaign is a chance to highlight all local businesses, not just those operating in the retail sector, but in all sectors. Similarly, the campaign will encourage consumers and businesses alike to look locally for their goods and services, supporting local economies across the country.”
Jackie Maguire, CEO of Meath County Council said; “Local authorities are delighted to support the ‘Look for Local’ campaign and all efforts to showcase and celebrate local enterprise. Small businesses and retailers are the lifeblood of our cities, towns and villages, providing vital economic activity and employment opportunities. They have faced unprecedented challenges since March and local authorities have been working to support them as much as possible. We would urge all consumers and businesses to do the same, and to look out for Irish businesses this Christmas.”
The campaign will run for several weeks on media and profiling will continue until the end of the year to help spotlight local businesses across the country and encourage people to Look for Local. For more information on the campaign go here. Agencies, businesses and consumers will also be encouraged to use #LookforLocal on social media to help support the campaign.
For further information:
Lorna Cooney
lorna.cooney@meathcoco.ie
086 8259450
