Kilkenny Chamber and its member businesses across the city and county have teamed up with St Canice’s Kilkenny Credit Union for a pre-Christmas shopping and gifts bonanza.
The drive aims to keep tills throughout Kilkenny ringing throughout the festive season and well into the New Year, protecting jobs in our community.
Kilkenny Chamber is delighted to introduce this positive new initiative to help boost local Kilkenny business. Chamber CEO, Alison McGrath, said, “we are introducing a Kilkenny Shopping Voucher Scheme in conjunction with St Canice’s Kilkenny Credit Union in time for Christmas 2008.
“We are all facing into a difficult business climate and it is more important than ever that we all support local business and keep our local economy as strong as possible. It is a significant initiative which could if supported make a difference in protecting employment.
“The Shopping Voucher Scheme will be operated by Kilkenny Chamber and vouchers will be available for purchase in the chamber offices and through St Canice’s Kilkenny Credit Union. The vouchers can only be redeemed in participating Kilkenny outlets, keeping the money in our local economy,” she explained.
Kilkenny Chamber already has signed up 25 outlets to the scheme and more are welcome.
“Chamber is encouraging business to purchase the Kilkenny Chamber branded vouchers as Christmas bonuses to staff. There is no charge to the purchaser of the vouchers and they can be used in local hotels, restaurants and retail outlets, giving a variety of options to redeem vouchers. The outlets that sign up to the scheme are issued with a window sticker making it easy for people to know where to use them. Purchasers will also be given a list of participating outlets when they buy the vouchers.
“We are asking for everyone’s support by buying Kilkenny Shopping Vouchers as Christmas gifts this year. The vouchers are an ideal way to express appreciation to staff, customers, family and friends while also supporting the local economy at a time when it is really needed,” she added.
Junior Minister for Trade and Commerce John McGuinness will officially launch the Shopping Voucher Scheme today (Thursday ) at 6pm in Kilkenny Castle following the switching on of the Christmas lights at City Hall. The vouchers will go on sale on Monday December 8.
The chamber is particularly delighted that St Canice’s Kilkenny Credit Union will sell the vouchers on its behalf.
Any outlets interested in becoming involved in the scheme are asked to contact Alison McGrath or any of the chamber staff on (056 ) 7752767.
