Led by Castlebar Chamber of Commerce, the marketing initiative – Castlebar, Everyone’s Invited – set up to market Castlebar and attract more visitors to shop, stay, and have a great night out in the town has started to roll out its initiatives to draw more visitors for longer stays and greater spend in the town.
“Key businesses in the retail, leisure, entertainment, and cultural sectors have already got on board. And their financial commitment has resulted in a fund that will raise the profile of Castlebar as a destination for visitors this year and generate circulation of cash in the local economy in what are still challenging trading conditions,” said Peter Glynn, president, Castlebar Chamber.
“This long-term marketing initiative will have benefits for everyone as it will not only attract more visitors but will also raise the profile of Castlebar for inward investment and increased civic pride.”
Destination marketing has been yielding major benefits for towns since the 1990s. Businesses large and small, family run and multi nationals, and particularly those that have seen the success of similar initiatives across the country were quick to get on board and support Castlebar, Everyone’s Invited.
“We have business interests across the country and have seen how successful joint marketing initiatives run elsewhere can be,” Paraic Horkan of Horkan’s Lifestyle and Garden Centre commented. “We believe that by putting some of our marketing budget into one big pot with other businesses in the town that we can promote what Castlebar has to offer, and specifically what we at Horkan’s offer to a national and international audience through the new Visit Castlebar website, national advertising, PR and promotions. And in these competitive times this represents great value for money for us as a business.”
Colm Hynes, Hynes Shoes added that for him as a long established family business in Castlebar this initiative along with the redevelopment of Castlebar’s main streets represents an opportunity for increased pride in the town and for the community to work together to make sure that visitors have a great experience. And with the new calendar of events and free listings for all businesses on the website together with businesses working together to maximise events backed with national marketing support this will make a significant impact.
The first key event – Castlebar, Everyone’s Invited – will get behind is the first ever west of Ireland women’s mini marathon on May 2. The event is expected to attract up to 2,000 participants with 1,400 runners already registered.
For as little as €5 per week, you can get on board and maximise the business you get this year. Simply contact Castlebar Chamber of Commerce on 094 902 4845.
Some of the businesses already on board are AIB, Albany, Bar One, Bosh, Castlebar Chamber, The Connaught Telegraph, Don Racine, Leo Doherty Menswear, Dun Mhuire Bed and Breakfast, Elvery’s, Fahey’s Drapers, Gifts Supreme, GNO, Harlequin Hotel, Henaghan’s Health Food Centre, Horkan’s Lifestyle and Garden Centre, Hynes’ Shoes, Irwin’s, The Linenhall, Logo2Go, Lough Lannagh Village, Loughran Marketing Communications, Mayo Advertiser, Gerry McGuires, Mulroy’s Bar, National Museum of Ireland, PMG, Rocksberry B&B, Rowland’s Pharmacy, Royal Theatre and Event Centre Castlebar, Staunton’s, Visual Impact, Welcome Inn Hotel, and Western People.
