Rates Reduction… Chamber welcomes ‘responsible decision by Councillors and Officials’

The decision at Friday night’s County Council Meeting, taken unanimously, to reduce Commercial Rates by 1% for the coming year was welcomed by County Carlow Chamber today.

According to Chamber President Mr. David Walsh:

‘We lobbied and got a decrease despite the Government decrease in the Local Government Fund to Carlow local Authorities this year. The decision of the Councillors shows a responsible attitude to the difficulties facing business in County Carlow at this time.’

Mr. Walsh continued:

‘Having met with the various groupings that make up the Council we had put our case to Councillors and it would be fair to say that they understand the current difficulties and particularly the post Budget 2010 difficulties.

County Carlow Chamber has been critical of Government over many years for its continuing reduction in the Local Government Fund which ultimately leaves the commercial ratepayer making up any shortfall when it comes to balancing the books in the Local Authority.

‘Decreases in the Local Government Fund allocation to County means that further  cuts in Commercial Rates, which is ideally what County Chamber would like to see, is made more and more difficult’, the President concluded.

It is now time for central Government to step up to the plate and sort out the allocations from the Local Government Fund so that business can be helped weather the current storm. County Carlow Councillors and Officials acted responsibly on Friday evening and their decision is to be welcomed.

Arboretum Finalist's Again...

During the reign of the Celtic Tiger a whole generation missed out how to grow their own fruit and vegetable, often associated with the phrase “Time Poor and Cash Rich”. With the rise in unemployment many people are now wondering how they can occupy their time in a positive way, hence the massive shift towards gardening and grow your own. This has spurned a whole new generation of new & older gardeners wanting to grow their own produce.

Ten years ago nobody was interested in growing their own fruit and vegetables never mind buying a packet of vegetable seeds, now everyone wants to experience the phenomenon of being able to grow their own and most importantly feel they are saving money and environmentally friendly.

Once again we have seen the uptake in gardening having many positive benefits in bringing communities together through education and employment in grow your own. This in turn has opened up a whole new world, hence we were inspired to create the “The Listener’s Garden” which will comprise of raised beds so all parts of the community will be able to partake in this project. We are delighted that KCLR have come on board with us to launch “The Listener’s Garden”.

Recently we were the finalist in FBD Retail Excellence Awards for “Company of the year & Retailer of the Year, Industry Leader, in the top four with companies such as Arnotts, O’Brien Wines, Guinness Store and we were also a finalist in Ulster Bank ” Family Business award“.

There seems to be a lot of doom & gloom out there, with many businesses closing down. On a positive side for every door closing a new door is opening, and it’s up to all retail businesses to see these doors opening and see how they can change or adapt their business model top take advantage of these opportunities.

What a difference a few months has made, on how we all shop. No longer is it taboo to be seen shopping in Aldi or Lidl, the customer is now interested in getting what they want, when they want for less with added service and convenience.

You don’t have to be in the grocery business to see what the customer wants, like Special Offers, Special Buys and BOGOFF and we at the Arboretum have adapted this philosophy across our entire centre and its working. At the end of the day, the only way that any businesses can survive is to keep an eye on costs, work harder and listen to your customers.

In an Recent Survey in The Sunday Business Post it was noted that customers will be more inclined to shop with business that are seen to give to charities or work with their communities in giving back!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who were involved in sharing our success & express thanks to all our customers who are our ultimate judges in all we do in making us a growing success & without them none of this would be possible. We also want to thank our suppliers who go the extra mile for us & do that little bit extra so we can in return do the same for our customers.

Seven Oaks Hotel

Despite challenging economic times the hospitality sector in Carlow is looking to the future with confidence.  While the last year has undoubtedly been the toughest economic challenge in living memory the hospitality sector in Carlow has readjusted to the challenges and is focussing on opportunities rather than problems.

As a result members of the sector are quietly confident that the year ahead has many opportunities and that Carlow is uniquely positioned to take advantage of them.  That’s according to Michael Walsh, General Manager of the Seven Oaks Hotel, one of Carlow’s leading lights in the hospitality sector.

“2009 was a unique year and a difficult one,” he says “But Carlow has enjoyed many positive developments during the last year and in the hospitality sector we have many advantages that can allow us to make progress in the years ahead.”  In the last year, perhaps the biggest positive has been the opening of the new Visual Centre which has generated a huge profile to a new audience for the town and County.

“It has been a huge positive and has definitely been a major boost to the area,” according to Walsh. It is another world class attraction for Carlow which is seeing increasing national and international recognition for the quality of its offering.  “Visual and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre are the latest addition to an already huge number of natural and heritage attractions such as Ducketts Grove, the Leinster Way, River Walks to name just a few.”

But it’s not only incoming business that the members of the hospitality sector are focussed on.  “The local market is the bedrock of any business community and the people of Carlow can be proud of the fine selection of hotels, pubs and restaurants, visitor attractions that they have on their doorstep.

There is an old saying that “every cloud has a silver lining” and if the current economic travails make local people sit up and take notice of the wealth of quality amenities and attractions that are on offer in Carlow then it is true for the hospitality sector in Carlow.

Denis O'Brien

This year County Carlow Chamber of Commerce celebrates 63 years in business at its Annual Christmas Lunch. It’s a time to celebrate overcoming all the challenges of 2009 and bring a message of hope for 2010. So today we celebrate that with our Guest today… Denis O’Brien one of Ireland’s most successful entrepreneurs.

He is Chairman of Digicel Group and founder of Communicorp Group, which owns and manages a portfolio of media and broadcasting-related companies in Ireland. He has extensive investments across several sectors including international telecoms radio, media, property, aircraft leasing, golf and other leisure interests.Denis O’Brien founded the Esat Telecom Group plc and built it throughout the 1990’s until its sale to British Telecom plc for €2.4 billion.

Outside of his extensive business interests, Denis chaired the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland. It was the first time the Summer Games were staged outside the US with teams from 160 countries and over 30,000 volunteers, the 2003 Summer Games were the most successful ever.

We look forward to hearing what he has to say today and to wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Dooley Motors

Carlow’s Ford Dealership and VTN Test Centre; Dooley Motors,  located at Sleaty Roundabout, is celebrating its 20^th year serving the motoring needs of Carlow.

As the market leader in Carlow for 8 out of the last 10 years, Dooley Motors prides itself on its continued commitment to customer after sales service and harnessing customer loyalty.

Winners of the prestigious Ford Chairman’s award for excellence in customer care several years in a row and recipients of the Carlow Chamber of Commerce Business Awards - recognises how the team at Dooley’s are continuously working to provide value for money and quality service across its wide range of offerings.

In commenting on the success of the past 20 years, Dealer Principal, Anthony Dooley,  knows exactly who to thank… ‘The people of Carlow, Graiguecuellen and beyond have helped to make Dooley’s what it is today’.  Through their continued support we have developed the dealership into a business that stretches far beyond Carlow.’

Facing into 2010 with the strongest range of New Cars and Commercials on the Market, Ford are hoping to remain as market leaders and Dooley Motors will be right there with them…

T2

At a time when businesses are being starved of finance from Irish banks, Carlow’s own T2 is bucking the trend by expanding its business via an alliance with IT provider Business IT Solutions (BITS) also based in the south east. The strategic partnership will produce synergies to see both companies achieve significant growth throughout the southeast.

The new business alliance will result in t2 managing all aspects of website development, internet marketing projects and in-house development of proprietary software for both sets of clients. Meanwhile, BITS’ expertise in the areas of IT sales, support and consultancy will be brought to bear on the management of PC and server networking, data recovery and IT maintenance for t2’s client base.

The agreement enables both companies to play to key strengths and remain focused on their respective areas of service delivery, according to t2 managing director Andrew Tobin. “This partnership with BITS will effectively combine our talents and allow each of us to concentrate on key skill areas“, commented Tobin.

Gavin Dixon, managing director, BITS added, “We see this alliance with t2 as enhancing earnings and adding value to the BITS brand as well as bringing opportunities to extend our reach in Leinster”.

Founded by Andrew and Jane Tobin, t2 was named one of Ireland’s top three SMEs at the National Enterprise Awards last year and was the only non-Dublin based business to be shortlisted for Web Development Company of the Year at this year’s ICT Awards. The company services a range of local and national clients and has undertaken research and development projects leading to the creation of a unique proprietary software package now available in both the Irish and UK markets.

Established by Gavin Dixon in 2001, BITS provides IT sales, services, support and consultancy to a broad range of business sectors throughout the southeast. Located in Kilkenny, the company currently employs five and anticipates that the new strategic partnership with t2 will see the company double its workforce over the next three years.

T2 anticipates its headcount will increase to 12 over the same period. BITS will take office space at t2’s base in Carlow from this month while maintaining its Kilkenny HQ, thus increasing its presence in the southeast.

Enterprise & Research Incubation Campus

The Institute of Technology Carlow is now seeking entrepreneurs with an innovative business idea to join their Enterprise Platform Programme in 2010.

The Enterprise Platform Programme is a one-year full-time professional training and enterprise development programme aimed at giving entrepreneurs who have a well thought out innovative  business idea or technology the appropriate support while setting out to establish their business. The programme commences in early 2010.

What you will get from the programme?

• Individual office space at the Institute’s Enterprise & Research Incubation Centre
• Hands-on business advice, training & direction
• Introduction to networks and support agencies
• Personal mentoring
• Support funding under Enterprise Ireland’s CORD initiative up to a maximum of €30,000 may be available to suitably qualified candidates.

Who is eligible to Apply?

Applicants should:

• hold a diploma, degree or higher qualification in any discipline (though exceptions may be made for non-graduates who show high potential)
• have a business or project idea that is innovative, knowledge based, export focused and has job creation potential
• have enthusiasm, confidence and single-mindedness about setting up and running your own business

For further information or to apply for the programme:

Please call 059 9175220 or email Brian Ogilvie at enterprisedevelopment@itcarlow.ie or go to www.eric.ie

Cuinneog... for the flavour...

Carlow’s own The Marketing Table and AK Graphics collaborate on the rebrand of Mayo Based butter company - Cuinneog.

The collaboration on the rebrand of this wonderfully flavourfilled butter was a great blend of expertise… the concept being devised and briefed by Finola Howard of The Marketing Table and the graphics and packaging being executed by Anne Kelly, AK Graphics.

On July 7th, Cuinneog launched their new bold and beautiful packaging that speaks to what the Cuinneog customer have known all along. The full flavour of these products, now not only stands out for their flavour, but also stands out visually too.

The modern Cuinneog has a distinctive orange wrapper with no less than 9 purple cows standing together, one of them curiously peeking out at you.

A website is in the offing which is being developed by another Carlow based company but you’ll have to stay tuned to see more…

Hot Irishman Smashes World Record

Carlow company Hot Irishman is this year celebrating 10 years in business and to mark this very special occasion, the company launched its bid to smash the Guinness World Record for creating the Worlds largest Irish coffee!!!

The company proudly succeeded in their quest when they beat the previous world record at the Vinexpo held in Bordeaux France in June this year.

In attempting this challenge the company commissioned a special glass capable of holding up to 70 litres of Irish coffee!!

The vessel which stood over a meter tall was used in the attempt which consisted of 20 litres of Hot Irishman, 45 litres of boiling water and 5 litres of cream! To view coverage of the challenge by French news company Six, click on the YouTube link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3-UPIwaH5I

Eigse

What was once a local endeavor and a simple weekend event in April 1979 grew to become Ireland’s fourth largest Arts festival and a credit to both the founders and the region.

2009 sees the celebration of 30 years of this wonderful festival.  This year’s festival will be a vibrant programme of events spanning nine days and nights. Featuring a dynamic and diverse range of entertainment and arts, the Éigse festival 2009 will transform Carlow into the cultural hub of the South East.

In celebration of its thirtieth year, the Éigse Carlow Arts Festival team have secured a number of high profile and internationally recognised artists / acts. The festival has something for every member of the family to enjoy. From interactive experiences for children to outdoor rock gigs for teens, craft fairs and opera gala’s to comedy shows, barbecue’s and film screenings, Éigse is an extravaganza with broad appeal. Between June 13th and 21st this year, Carlow will come alive with a summer festival of arts and culture on the streets, in numerous atmospheric venues and even in a number of mystery locations.

Come and be part of Éigse Carlow Arts Festival 2009, promoting cultural diversity, community spirit and establishing Carlow as a centre of artistic excellence. Visit www.eigsecarlow.ie for more information.