Message from Rose Wall, Chairperson
Just a note to all Listowel and North Kerry businesses who are reopening this week. We in the Listowel Business and Community Alliance wish them the best of luck and know how hard they have prepared to comply with the guidelines on safe distancing in their premises. We are asking everyone to come out and support these businesses by shopping and making bookings and reservations in line with the new protocols.
Supporting local businesses is essential to our town and Kerry going forward. 2020 has been very difficult for all and we need to bring life back in our communities by buying local and spending locally.
We will continue to promote and support businesses in any way we can in the coming months.
If you have any queries or suggestions please contact info@alliance.ie .
Congratulations!
Congratulations to McGillicuddy’s Toymaster who are this week’s winner of a full page advert in The Advertiser. Listowel Business and Community Alliance is delighted to host this competition kindly sponsored by Garvey’s Super Valu Listowel aimed at supporting local businesses as Listowel reopens. The competition is open to all businesses who have been funding members of the Listowel Business and Community Alliance during the past twelve months. The final of the four winners will be picked at McGillicuddy’s Toymaster and announced next Tuesday July 7t. Thank you to last week’s winner Tracey Grimes Hair & Extensions for performing the honours yesterday.
Listowel Voucher
The Listowel Voucher is available to purchase Monday to Friday at Pierse Fitzgibbon and is a fantastic way of giving while shopping local and supporting local jobs.
Government Support Grants
There are a number of grants currently available to assist SME’s throughout Ireland. Please click on the following link for a full list of what’s available and get in touch if you have any queries.
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2020 Town and Village Renewal and CLAR Schemes Funding
- Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2020:
The scheme has previously supported public realm projects and the enhancement of town centre amenities. Project proposals must include activities that will have clear positive economic impacts on the town or village making them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential. Successful proposals must demonstrate close collaboration between communities and business interests in the design and delivery of proposed projects and must have the support of the Local Authority. All projects under each scheme should also outline the consultation process undertaken. All Expressions of Interest will be assessed based on the priorities as contained in the Scheme Outlines attached.
All interested groups must complete an Expression of Interest Form for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2020 and return to the Community Department, Kerry County Council, Rathass, Tralee or email to community@kerrycoco.ie no later than 10th July 2020 at 12noon.
Please note that the submission of an Expression of Interest does not guarantee a final application to the Department to consider the project for funding. There is a competitive process and it is important that groups must ensure that forms are fully completed. Projects that are shortlisted to Application Stage will be formally notified by the Local Authority.
- CLÁR Scheme 2020
CLÁR provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have experienced population decline. The scheme has been tailored this year to help rural communities respond to the new COVID 19 environment. Applications are now being sought for Measures 1 -Schools/Community Safety Measures and Measure 2 – Community Recreation Areas. Up to 10 Applications in total are invited from each Local Authority in respect of Measures 1 and 2.
Closing date for completed Application Forms is 17th July 2020 at 12 noon by Email to community@kerrycoco.ie; late applications will not be considered. The process is competitive as there is a limit on the number of submissions that Kerry County Council can submit to the Department.
Webinar Review of the County Development Plan
Date and Time: Thursday 2nd July 2020 AT 10am – 11am
Join Mr Michael Scannell, Director of Economic & Community Development & Damien Ginty, Acting Senior Planner who will give a presentation on the Review of the Kerry County Development Plan 2015-2021 and preparation of the County Development Plan 2022-2028.
Submissions or observations regarding the review of the existing Kerry County Development Plan 2015-2021 and the preparation of a new Kerry County Development Plan 2022-2028 from the 24th June 2020 to 21st August 2020 (both dates inclusive) and can be submitted by one of the following methods:
In writing to: Kerry CDP Review, Planning Policy Unit, Kerry County Council, County Buildings, Rathass, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
By email to: planpolicy@kerrycoco.ie, Online at: https://cdp.kerrycoco.ie/, Register for this webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7001015353388771340 (Copy and paste into browser)
New Failte Ireland Campaigns
– How to maximise for your business
Covid-19 Safety Charter: Sign up for the Covid-19 Safety Charter, ensure all returning staff complete the course and include the Charter prominently everywhere – on social, website and on your premises. The campaign starts on 4th July so try to ensure you have your certificate by then.
Special Offer & Experience: Create your own visitor experience. Align it closely with the national campaign e.g. use similar words, themes and imagery. Set the tone as if by the Irish visitor who is inspired by the advertising campaign?
Failte Ireland Business Listing: This is vitally important for all hospitality businesses Update your Business Listing on the Fáilte Ireland Trade Portal so that how you are presented on discoverireland.ie and regional brands aligns with this campaign.
Google My Business: Review your Google Business Listing and update it. Add your Safety Charter here and ensure it is obvious that you have updated for the re-opening.
Social Storytelling: In your social media stories, connect your experience and place with the #MakeABreakForIt messaging and updates. Show how you are one of those places that can guarantee safety and value and also allow people open spaces and a sense of freedom. Use the hashtags #makeabreakforit and #feelsbigger wherever relevant.
Webinar – Reduce HR Costs through Digital Transformation
Digital Business Ireland present this webinar on Thursday July 9th at 12 noon.
This webinar will help and guide you through the best HR software so your business is leaner and more efficient in a post-Covid world. Our speakers will showcase how HR software can be utilised across your business by HR Managers, On-Site Employees and Remote Workers.
Topics to be covered include:
– Automating HR processes, e.g. leave management, clock in/clock out safely (touchless),
– Employee time tracking,
– Training management,
– Performance – employee progress and support,
– Simplifying hiring and onboarding,
– Increasing employee engagement
– Remote working
Register here
Note: This event has now passed.
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Listowel Community Centre is back!
The wait is over and BASE Fitness is officially back in business❗ There’s been a few changes, and a new layout to show off‼
For details on how to book a session or fitness class and what to expect when you come in the door please 068-22244 between 9.00-4.00pm.
We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back again. #Strongertogether
Update from Kerry County Council regarding Listowel Parking
Listowel Business & Community Alliance have issued a notice to Kerry County Council to ensure the effective management of new Set Down Spaces to ensure businesses can continue to trade and successfully optimize the new collect service that most retail outlets now have in place.
The following response from Kerry County Council was received on Monday June 29th:
“Please see below a brief update regarding the implementation of Kerry County Council’s Safe and Welcoming Streets Town Centre Mobility Plan in Listowel:
- Temporary pedestrian refuge/passing bays were installed over the weekend;
- Temporary ‘set down’ and ‘age friendly’ parking will be installed over the coming days including temporary line marking and signage;
- A trial temporary board walk was installed on Church Street on Friday 26th June 2020;
- Additional Kerry Safe Destination social distancing signage will be installed over the next week to 10 days.
Parking enforcement will form part of the approach to optimise the turnover of cars using on street parking”
Childers Park & Woodlands
Childers Park & Woodlands will be judged on Friday July 10th as part of the Green Flag Award. We hope that this special part of Listowel retains its Green Flag from 2019. The Park has provided a place of enjoyment and happy memories for generations of townspeople and is also included for this years All Ireland Pollinator Awards which will also be announced shortly.
Pride of Place
Work is underway for the 2020 Pride of Place submissions for Listowel which is due by July 27th. The Pride of Place Awards is an annual competition organised by Co-operation Ireland, which promotes and celebrates the best in community development. The awards recognise the selfless efforts of people in making their local neighbourhoods better places to live, work and socialise.
Greenway
Work has resumed on the Greenway with €5 million funding announced to enhance the starting point of the trail in Limerick. Works on the Greenway including the extension from Abbeyfeale to Listowel will be completed by June 2021. We urge businesses to engage and begin preparing for the completion of this project. Projects identified by Listowel Business & Community Alliance that will enhance Listowel as the key destination include:
Marketing & Promotion Plan
A Marketing & Promotion Strategy for the Greenway will be worked on
Business/ Community Engagement
In order to maximise the benefits arising from an enhanced and extended Greenway, engagement with businesses and community organizations here in North Kerry areas will be accelerated in the coming months.
