LOOKING FORWARD

A new marketing initiative -  'Castlebar, Everyone's Invited - sets out to market Castlebar and attract more visitors to shop, stay and have a great night out in the town. This Castlebar Chamber of Commerce-led programme has already begun to roll-out is initiatives with the aim of drawing more visitors into the town - for longer stays and a greater spend in the town.

Promoting the progress of Destination Castlebar last week were Pat Jennings, Royal Theatre and Event Centre, Joe O'Dea, Welcome Inn Hotel, Marie Farrell, Linenhall Arts Centre, Declan Durcan, Visual Impact, Padraic McGuinness, PMG Consult, Peter Horkan, Horkan's Garden Centre, Louise McCullagh, Loughran Marketing Communications, Mark Cadden, Bar One, Sinead Kelleher, Gift Supreme, Peter Glynn, AIB, Colm Hyne, Hynes Shoes and Stephanie Colombani, Castlebr Chamber of Commerce. Photograph by Keith Heneghan / phocus.ie

"Key businesses in the retail, leisure, entertainment and cultural sectors are already on board. 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," stated Peter Glynn, President, Castlebar Chamber.

Peter added: "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'.

Paraic Horkan, Horkan's Lifestyle & Garden Centre commented: "We have business interests across the country and have seen how successful joint marketing initiatives run elsewhere can be. 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 that 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 maximize events backed with national marketing support that 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 2nd May. Teaming up with Mayo Sports Partnership in conjunction with The Western People Newspaper, the event is expected to attract up to 2,000 participants with 1,400 runners already registered. Castlebar Chamber Sub-Group (Castlebar, Everyone's Invited) will work with Mayo Sports Partnership and other community and business groups to produce a memorable event that showcases Castlebar as an exciting and entertaining centre with great shopping, places to stay and eat and cultural attractions.

There are a series of key events that will be supported throughout the year in addition to ongoing marketing through the new website, promotions, PR and advertising.

Peter Glynn observed: "In my view the Towns that will come through these difficult times are those where all vested interest in the community work together for the good of the community. The marketing initiative - Castlebar, Everyone's Invited - is the ideal vehicle for us to market our unique strengths and I encourage all like-minded businesses and organisations to join up and play their part in supporting this project."

For as little as €5 per week, you can get on board and maximize the business you get this year. Simply contact Castlebar Chamber of Commerce on 094 9024845.

Some of the businesses already on board: AIB, Albany, Bar One, Bosh, Castlebar Chamber, The Connaught Telegraph, Don Racine, Leo Doherty Menswear, Dun Mhuire Bed & Breakfast, Elverys, Faheys Drapers, Gifts Supreme, GNO, Harlequin Hotel, Henaghans Health Food Centre, Horkan's Lifestyle & Garden Centre, Hynes Shoes, Irwins, The Linen Hall, Logo2Go, Lough Lannagh Village, Loughran Marketing Communications, Mayo Advertiser, Gerry McGuires, Mulroys Bar, National Museum of Ireland, PMG, Rocksberry B&B, Rowlands Pharmacy, Royal Theatre & Event Centre Castlebar, Stauntons, Visual Impact, Welcome Inn Hotel, Western People.