Retail industry welcomes proposals from Fine Gael and Labour

Fri, Feb 11, 2011

Policies for the retail industry by Fine Gael and Labour are the right mix of measures to help retailers weather the recession, according to Retail Excellence Ireland.

On Thursday last Fine Gael issued its jobs and economic strategy document, following the publication of the Labour Party’s plans on Sunday January 30.

Mary Davis launches Network Mayo 2011 programme

Fri, Feb 11, 2011

Inspiration, collaboration, and innovation were the central themes at the Network Mayo ‘Inspiring Innovation’ launch, headed by guest speaker, Mary Davis (managing director, Special Olympics, Europe and Eurasia).

Taxi drivers working up to 80 hours a week to make ends meat

Fri, Feb 04, 2011

Four out of five taxi drivers work more than 50 hours per week (83.4 per cent) with over half working more than 60 hours a week. However, some drivers have admitted to working up to 80 hours a week, leading to a belief that passengers are unsafe in their cars.

Cuts to minimum wage an attack on Ireland’s working poor - Ruane

Fri, Feb 04, 2011

The cut in minimum wage came into force today on February 1. Sinn Féin General Election candidate, Thérèse Ruane has described this as a shameful attack on the working poor. Sinn Féin will reverse the cut to protect other low income earners, according to Cllr Ruane. She insists that such a move will force more families into poverty and to rely on supplementary welfare assistance from the State. She also warns on the knock on effect for local businesses in the local economy.

Small food businesses demonstrate resilience through recession

Fri, Feb 04, 2011

Small food businesses in Ireland are continuing to demonstrate strong growth both on the domestic and export markets, according to new figures released by Bord Bia this week. Bord Bia works with over 400 small food businesses with an annual turnover of some €400 million, representing an increase in value of seven per cent per year since 2007.

Looking ahead to 2011 the prospects also remain positive. According to Bord Bia’s recent food industry survey (December 2010) over 70 per cent of small food businesses viewed the prospects for their business in 2011 as good or very good. When asked to compare their prospects to a year earlier, 56 per cent rated them as better.

Mayo stores honoured for XLence at national awards

Fri, Jan 28, 2011

XL stores in Mayo have been recognised for achieving high standards in retailing at the annual Store of the Year Awards, held recently at the Castleknock Hotel and Country Club in Dublin and hosted by comedian Alan Shortt.

Four hundred stores to close this month

Fri, Jan 28, 2011

The decline in retail sales at the end of last year has caused Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) to predict that more than 400 retail stores will close during January 2011.

Mayo Gaeltacht jobs decreased last year

Fri, Jan 28, 2011

Jobs in Údarás na Gaeltachta assisted-companies rose by 704 full-time positions last year, with a net decrease of 398 jobs overall. However in Mayo, while 48 new jobs were created in the Gaeltacht last year, taking job losses into account there was a net loss of 132 jobs in the county.

Mayo Open Coffee Club hosts business planning meeting

Fri, Jan 28, 2011

Colin McLean, business development consultant and enterprise builder mentor (www.enterprisebuilder.ie) will facilitate February’s meeting of the Mayo Open Coffee Club on business planning which will take place in the Harlequin Hotel, Castlebar, on Wednesday February 2.

Industry award for Charlestown freight company

Fri, Jan 28, 2011

A Charlestown based freight and transport service provider, East West Express, has won a prestigious industry award at the third annual TPN Awards. The awards are designed to reward excellence and to raise the standards and public perception of the freight and logistics industry in Ireland. TPN (The Pallet Network) members from around the country voted in the awards, judging their peers on their performance in categories such as on-time delivery, customer service and contribution to the national network.

Speed date your way to a better business

Fri, Jan 28, 2011

Castlebar Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting a speed networking event this Valentine’s week.

Mayo employees could ‘win a day off work’

Fri, Jan 28, 2011

With January being officially Ireland’s most depressing month, what better way to remedy the winter blues than the prospect of a ‘Duvet Day’ for a great cause. To help support the work of Ireland’s almost 275,000 family carers, broadcasters and patrons of The Carers Association, Marty Whelan and Mary Kennedy, have teamed up to launch Ireland’s first ‘Win a Day Off Work’ campaign. The campaign offers Mayo employees the chance to win a ‘Duvet Day’ while raising vital funds for family carers.

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