Kells Chamber marks 10 years with rallying cry to shop local

Kells Chamber of Commerce marked its 10th anniversary and also launched its 'Keep It Kells' local shopping campaign for Christmas 2011 at a well-attended annual meeting and social event last Friday night in the Headfort Arms Hotel. "We wanted to mark the occasion of the Chamber's 10th anniversary in existence and to pay tribute to and congratulate all those who have been involved with the Chamber over the past decade," said current Chamber president, Geraldine Gaughran. Four of the previous five Chamber presidents were in attendance on the night, while Meath County Manager Tom Dowling and Kells Town Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Brian Collins, also paid tribute to the achievements of the Chamber over the past decade. Mr Dowling also outlined some of the initiatives and regeneration schemes planned for Kells in the coming months and years, including the upcoming visit of Billy Houlihan, past Cork County Architect, who has been involved and instrumental in the renewal and regeneration of many of Cork's towns and villages. The numerous achievements of Kells Chamber over the past 10 years include lobbying for the M3, working with Meath County Council to establish the Girley Eco Bog Walk, supporting the Kells Pink Ribbon Walk, introducing the Kells Gift/Shopping Voucher Scheme, initiating the Kells Art Trail and founding the Chamber Business & Community Awards Scheme. The Kells Gift Voucher Scheme has been a resounding success, with almost €100,000 worth of vouchers sold to date since its introduction in November 2008. The vouchers are available to buy from the Kells Chamber Office, O'Brien's SuperValu, St Colmcille's Credit Union and Carr's Centra and are now redeemable in any retail outlet that chooses to join the scheme. Ms Gaughran also outlined the many projects which the Chamber is currently working on, as well as detailing its future plans. "We plan to become active in attracting new industry to Kells and are particularly interested in promoting food tourism as a concept. We intend to lobby the IDA to promote Kells to multinational companies and to highlight our many amenities, infrastructure and ideally situated location," she said. "We also hope to implement some of the RTE's 'Local Heroes' TV series template, starting with a general meeting and ideas forum," she said. "I recently visited Drogheda to learn more about the 'Local Heroes' campaign and we hope to build on our proximity to the town and connections there to learn more information and ideas." She pointed out that economists at IBEC stated that if everyone in Drogheda spent only €1 a week more in the local economy, then it would be worth €1.82m this year, creating up to 27 new jobs. "We had already come up with this idea of encouraging people to shop locally with our Keep It Kells campaign last year and that is something that we intend to promote even more this year. "We want to encourage people to shop in Kells and to support local jobs during the forthcoming festive period," the Chamber president added. "This year, we plan to grow our campaign and will hold a bonanza draw with all retailers in the town participating and €1,000 worth of Kells Gift Vouchers as prizes for the winners. All you have to do to enter this free draw is to shop in Kells." She added: "Now, more than ever, we need our town to come together and work together, as it is together that we will get through these difficult times."