Waterford City Centre Facebook

jennygirl

any seen Waterford City Centre Facebook page -
Calling for all Waterford People to spend e5 in a local shop every week - rather than online or in a supermarket, to help locally owned shops to survive, and it will generate e11million a year for the local economy -
GOOD IDEA?

honeybadger

i used to spend 30euro a week alone in the olde stand before it finished up

Cabaal

Theming, I've deleted your post as all three have no relevance to this thread at all.

As your a new user to boards I suggest you look at the boards.ie FAQ/rules and ensure you read forum charters before posting,

Max Powers

jennygirl wrote: »

any seen Waterford City Centre Facebook page -
Calling for all Waterford People to spend e5 in a local shop every week - rather than online or in a supermarket, to help locally owned shops to survive, and it will generate e11million a year for the local economy -
GOOD IDEA?

very good idea yeah, i spend that definetely in a Waterford shop/cafe

Mooley22

jennygirl wrote: »

any seen Waterford City Centre Facebook page -
Calling for all Waterford People to spend e5 in a local shop every week - rather than online or in a supermarket, to help locally owned shops to survive, and it will generate e11million a year for the local economy -
GOOD IDEA?

If people spend the money in a local shop rather then one of the supermarkets will that not eventually lead to the supermarkets leaving staff go due to the drop in business?

Max Powers

Mooley22 wrote: »

If people spend the money in a local shop rather then one of the supermarkets will that not eventually lead to the supermarkets leaving staff go due to the drop in business?

i wouldnt think so, certainly not to a significant degree. What this is about it spending some money in local shops, keeping money and jobs in Waterford. the problem with supermarkets is that they do everything now, flowers, cafe, insurance, off licence, clothes, stationery... etc etc. The aim here is to spend but in local specialist stationery shops, florists, clothes shops etc, better economically for all of us (multiplier effect).

Finnbar01

Max Powers wrote: »

i wouldnt think so, certainly not to a significant degree. What this is about it spending some money in local shops, keeping money and jobs in Waterford. the problem with supermarkets is that they do everything now, flowers, cafe, insurance, off licence, clothes, stationery... etc etc. The aim here is to spend but in local specialist stationery shops, florists, clothes shops etc, better economically for all of us (multiplier effect).

How will it be economically better for all of us to shop in specialist shops?

b0ardsUser

That page is an absolute joke.

comeraghs

Why is it a joke?

The purpose of the page is to encourage shop owners to band together to make the city centre a more pleasant place to shop. That sounds like a very worthy idea for me.

Everybody know Waterford city centre is struggling, These people are trying to improve it. Fair play to them.

Finnbar01

comeraghs wrote: »

Why is it a joke?

The purpose of the page is to encourage shop owners to band together to make the city centre a more pleasant place to shop. That sounds like a very worthy idea for me.

Everybody know Waterford city centre is struggling, These people are trying to improve it. Fair play to them.

Do you know why it costs so much to set up a business in Waterford? Do you know why it costs so much to run one?

decies

Was talking recently to one employer who recently closed their business , landlord wouldn't shift on the rent and they had huge trouble from those ppi nazis threatening with solicitors letters and the like. In these harsh economic times the shop keepers are getting no breaks whatsoever . Personally looking around, the city centre is in free fall and major thinking outside the box is needed to save it !!!

Dicky Pride

decies wrote: »

Was talking recently to one employer who recently closed their business , landlord wouldn't shift on the rent and they had huge trouble from those ppi nazis threatening with solicitors letters and the like. In these harsh economic times the shop keepers are getting no breaks whatsoever . Personally looking around, the city centre is in free fall and major thinking outside the box is needed to save it !!!

Agreed. Maybe this is one of those outside the box thoughts?

The problem with outside the box thinking is that it takes up a lot of time. You need to focus your mind and your energy on the creation of an idea, something that has yet to be thought of. Unfortunately, people only have time to worry about how they are gonna survive from one week to the next...whether its their own business or just their own home.

Maybe the city council should build a think tank.

Max Powers

if people socialised in the city centre more, would be a good start. Bring some of the business from suburbs into city centre would do a lot. Unfortuantely i know lads who rarely drink in town but are down the local loads.

jennygirl

Mooley22 wrote: »

If people spend the money in a local shop rather then one of the supermarkets will that not eventually lead to the supermarkets leaving staff go due to the drop in business?

that Tecso - employ 50 staff - take in €1million a week
take a local shop - say on Broad st - takes in €20k a week and employs 4 staff
so multiply the city centre shop by 50 -
50 shops with 4 employees - 200 Jobs

the Big Supermarkets work on economies to scale - and cut staff every hour they can - local shops have a loyalty to staff

Max Powers

Finnbar01 wrote: »

How will it be economically better for all of us to shop in specialist shops?

because of the multiplier effect in spending locally rather than a repatriation of profits by a multinational.

cococoady

If local shops bought the goods they sell off another local business then it's a good idea. But the fact that a lot of these shops buy their goods off uk and far eastern countries makes it a bit of a mockery. I know this as I deliver the goods to most shops.
Why is it ok for the shops themselves to buy from outside Ireland but not the people. In reality all we do is cut out the middle man. Might sound harsh but after paying all my bills I have very little left over, and that little can go a lot online compared to in a shop.

Finnbar01

Max Powers wrote: »

because of the multiplier effect in spending locally rather than a repatriation of profits by a multinational.

How long would it actually take me to go from shop to shop?

Would I find all of what I want in speicialise shops?

How much would it cost me in parking?

Would I get special deals in these shops?

Don't specialised shops import a lot of their products as well, effectively repatriating profits?

Max Powers

Finnbar01 wrote: »

How long would it actually take me to go from shop to shop?

Would I find all of what I want in speicialise shops?

How much would it cost me in parking?

Would I get special deals in these shops?

Don't specialised shops import a lot of their products as well, effectively repatriating profits?

The multiplier is a well established economic principle, look it up. If everyone takes the above attitude, what will the city centre possibly end up like.

Finnbar01

Max Powers wrote: »

The multiplier is a well established economic principle, look it up. If everyone takes the above attitude, what will the city centre possibly end up like.

In my area alone there used to be several corner shops. How many are there now? None.

Our changing eating habits alone have dictated how and where we shop. There is no possible way small specialist shops could sources the products I'm after.

This notion that we have to keep small specialist shops up and running at any cost is ridiculous.

Here's my reason why I shop at multinational supermarkets (Tesco and sometimes Aldi and Lidl)

1. Free parking space.
2. Variety and diversity of products.
3. Cheaper prices.
4. Special deals.
5. Environmentally friendly.
6. Saves time.
7. Convient opening hours.

O Riain

Finnbar01 wrote: »

In my area alone there used to be several corner shops. How many are there now? None.

Our changing eating habits alone have dictated how and where we shop. There is no possible way small specialist shops could sources the products I'm after.

This notion that we have to keep small specialist shops up and running at any cost is ridiculous.

Here's my reason why I shop at multinational supermarkets (Tesco and sometimes Aldi and Lidl)

1. Free parking space.
2. Variety and diversity of products.
3. Cheaper prices.
4. Special deals.
5. Environmentally friendly.
6. Saves time.
7. Convient opening hours.

I love how you put environmentally friendly and free parking in the same list. Esentially these supermarkets are horrendous for the environment as you have to drive to them meaning that every single person in that store is generating large amounts of CO2 just to get there. Also they could go a lot further to reduce their footprint, the idea of having an open faced fridge with no door on it is madness in this day and age. In saying that at least Tesco use CHP plants to generate their electricity but in order for this to be as beneficial as they can be you need to have a large heat demand, which they dont, so it could just be a cop-out.

Also as for packaging, this country is a disgrace, we are one of the worst for extra packaging and then one of the worst for recycling that packaging. I dont really get how environmentally comes into it at all

Finnbar01

O Riain wrote: »

I love how you put environmentally friendly and free parking in the same list. Esentially these supermarkets are horrendous for the environment as you have to drive to them meaning that every single person in that store is generating large amounts of CO2 just to get there.

And how pray tell do you get to smaller specialist shops? If you were to avoid shopping in supermarkets, how many shops would you have to frequent? How much driving would that entail?

Max Powers

Finnbar01 wrote: »

And how pray tell do you get to smaller specialist shops? If you were to avoid shopping in supermarkets, how many shops would you have to frequent? How much driving would that entail?

lads, as usual this has gone on a unconnected tangent. This promotion is not about visiting 40 different shops, its about supporting local shops, i presume we all do our main grocery shop in tesco, lidl etc. this is about other stuff like your coffee, music, clothes etc, generally specialist stuff. I prefer to support local shops, added to that I prefer to buy certain stuff in specific local shops like clothes in clothes shops, music in a music shop, coffee in proper cafes, meds in a proper pharmacy etc
Added to that, in my experience it is clear that people complain about lack of shops in Waterford city and then practically brag about doing all their shopping on line, this action if we could avoid it is about helping waterford jobs, businesses and in general it benefits all of us.

hellfireie

I spend €5 at least for the parking in town does that count !!

Nypd

Don't see what the fuss is about, it's a group of business people in the city trying to be proactive.
I get my veg in kervicks Ballybricken, meat in Bobbys on Ballytruckle thus contributing to the local economy.
It's not rocket science in fairness.

Max Powers

Nypd wrote: »

Don't see what the fuss is about, it's a group of business people in the city trying to be proactive.
I get my veg in kervicks Ballybricken, meat in Bobbys on Ballytruckle thus contributing to the local economy.
It's not rocket science in fairness.

perfect example NYPD, i admit i do my main shop in tesco/Lidl (like most) but i make an effort to go to flanagans or butchers in city centre to get meat/fish. The way i see it, quality is better, price about the same and your supporting local people.
BTW lads, Dungarvan and Metalman beers, far superior than bud, heineken etc

Nypd

Max Powers wrote: »

perfect example NYPD, i admit i do my main shop in tesco/Lidl (like most) but i make an effort to go to flanagans or butchers in city centre to get meat/fish. The way i see it, quality is better, price about the same and your supporting local people.
BTW lads, Dungarvan and Metalman beers, far superior than bud, heineken etc

Quality is definitely better, I use the supermarkets for household items, cleaning products, cereals, snacks etc,
So everyone gets a bit.

Speak Now

Max Powers wrote: »

perfect example NYPD, i admit i do my main shop in tesco/Lidl (like most) but i make an effort to go to flanagans or butchers in city centre to get meat/fish. The way i see it, quality is better, price about the same and your supporting local people.
BTW lads, Dungarvan and Metalman beers, far superior than bud, heineken etc

Absolutely, pretty shameful the amount of places that don’t stock the local produce but want you to support local business at the same time :mad:

Max Powers

Jerry Seinfeld wrote: »

Absolutely, pretty shameful the amount of places that don’t stock the local produce but want you to support local business at the same time :mad:

Jerry,
You're right,I always ask for it, if enough people do, they will stock it. The rare days I get out to the pub, i pretty much only go to places that serve one or the other. Complete list on their web pages.

comeraghs

Waterford City Centre Business Group secures car parking rate reduction

Tuesday, 23rd April 2013
Waterford City Centre Business Group (WCCBG) is delighted to announce a car parking reduction rate in the New Street/Apple Market Car Park. The rate reduction will take effect from Friday 26th April.
Spokesman for the group Michael Garland stated, “After only four weeks since the WCCBG was formed a huge amount of voluntary work has been carried out by ALL the Group members. The enthusiasm and drive from the Group, to breathe new life into the very heart of Waterford City Centre, is just incredible.
There is undoubtedly huge momentum building and in the very near future there will be full details of the Group’s City Centre development proposals. The Group’s proposals will be announced and launched at a meeting where all City Centre businesses will be invited to attend. Full details on the meeting will be circulated and announced through the local media.
The first significant announcement for the WCCBG is a rate reduction in the privately operated car park at New Street/Apple Market. We are delighted to announce a rate reduction from Friday 26th April to the following: €1 per hour every Friday from 6pm to 10pm, €1 per hour every Saturday from 8am to 12 noon, and €1.40 per hour all day on Tuesday and Thursday.
This is the first private car parking operator to come on board with the overall plan to revitalise the City Centre and we certainly hope that it will not be the last.
The WCCBG are now working very hard to get further concessions with other private car park operators and we know that Waterford City Council will also now step up to the mark and offer additional on street car parking solutions around the City Centre.”
Glenn Sheridan added, "The car parking rate reduction is just one of our foundation stones to putting Waterford City Centre back on the retailing map of the South East. We have seen a real decline in retail footfall over the last few years and we all need to pull together to revitalise the City Centre.
We have recently undertaken a survey, and actually visited over 300 businesses in the City Centre, and the results of the survey will be given at our first open meeting – date to be announced. To date we have received almost one third of the forms back which is a terrific response. However, we would like to hear from ALL businesses and we would ask that the forms are returned ASAP to Tommy Hilfiger, Hype Hair, Sam McCauley’s, City Jewellers, Occasions or Fitzgerald’s Menswear. There is still time to contribute and have your say.
The WCCBG Facebook campaign and other social media promotions are reaching literally tens of thousands of people. We will keep this momentum going and ask that everyone gets involved in spreading the good news stories now coming out of Waterford City."
You can keep up to date on all announcements by following the Waterford City Centre Business Group on Facebook and through other social media sites.




http://www.waterford-today.ie/waterford-today-news/19496-waterford-city-centre-business-group-secures-car-parking-rate-reduction-19496.html

Baby4

This post has been deleted.

savic04

IMO the pedestrian streets has had the opposite effect, it has taken life from the city centre, the city centre isnt very big and isnt traffic friendly.. so even to do the most mundane thing, you have to go park and walk around.

Its so easy go tesco/next or whereever to park, run and out and move on...

until that is addressed I cant see the place getting any better sadly, because some of the city is really looking well now, down around The Mall and Viking quarter

O Riain

savic04 wrote: »

IMO the pedestrian streets has had the opposite effect, it has taken life from the city centre, the city centre isnt very big and isnt traffic friendly.. so even to do the most mundane thing, you have to go park and walk around.

Its so easy go tesco/next or whereever to park, run and out and move on...

until that is addressed I cant see the place getting any better sadly, because some of the city is really looking well now, down around The Mall and Viking quarter

Galway has a smaller city centre than Waterford, is completely pedestrianized and is bustling 24/7. Limerick is bigger than Waterford and has cars going through all main parts of the city centre and suffers from the same problems Waterford does.

People need to get over blaming pedestrianisation, it is not the issue. The issue is that in Galway you have the hospital and university pretty much in the city centre and a bustling tourist industry meaning that there is always people around walking from A to B. Waterford and Limerick have none of these with third level institutions out of the city centre, hospitals way out and a comparatively poor tourist industry. It’s not as simple as a pedestrian street so stop using that excuse.

Nypd

The city centre group discussed getting office space over shops back into use,
Which was a good plan and if successful breath a bit of life back into the city centre.

Max Powers

Nypd wrote: »

The city centre group discussed getting office space over shops back into use,
Which was a good plan and if successful breath a bit of life back into the city centre.

agree with that 100%, i think they are trying that on a small scale down in the V.T., the old Tack Room is going to be some offices upstairs. I cant understand why we dont have many proper office spaces for places like call centres etc to move into in the city centre.

Finnbar01

Max Powers wrote: »

agree with that 100%, i think they are trying that on a small scale down in the V.T., the old Tack Room is going to be some offices upstairs. I cant understand why we dont have many proper office spaces for places like call centres etc to move into in the city centre.

Wouldn't parking be a problem?

And then you would have higher rents (and perhaps rates) because of city centre location?

Nypd

Finnbar01 wrote: »

Wouldn't parking be a problem?

And then you would have higher rents (and perhaps rates) because of city centre location?

One could only guess at this point landlords would be lowering rents rather than having idle buildings.