Downtown Portlaoise News

Press Release from Downtown Portlaoise

Downtown Portlaoise held its AGM at The Pantry on Monday 8^th June 2015.  Newly elected members included Bebhinn Fergus PRO, Mark Healy Treasurer, Matt Kennelly Vice Chairman and Gerry Browne Chairman.  Outgoing Chairperson Margaret O’Sullivan and Pauline McEvoy were sincerely thanked for their contributions to Downtown Portlaoise.

Downtown Portlaoise incoming Chairman Gerry Browne reiterated his view that 1 HOUR FREE PARKING in Portlaoise Town Centre is the best business incentive scheme of all and is determined to secure it for the betterment of businesses and customers alike.  ‘This is one of my main priorities for 2015, he said.  It was such a success when we trialled it in December 2014 with the support of Laois County Council and the increase in business and customer goodwill was clearly measurable by contrast to not having free parking. 

Portlaoise on a Bank Holiday Weekend. Where else would you be?

Laois County Council were thanked for their generous contribution to the Portlaoise Christmas Lights and Street Market Festivals.  ‘Without this contribution from the Council we would not be in a position to provide and pay these big bills during the Christmas period.   All Downtown Portlaoise retailers pay membership and 70% of the membership fees goes on providing the Christmas Lights.  This is a huge commitment for the committee and places a very big financial burden on its funds and does not leave much surplus to fund any other projects.  Downtown committee have taken up the task of managing the lights for everybody in Portlaoise and   I would like to invite some of the corporate sector and larger businesses on the fringes of Portlaoise to contribute as we all benefit from seeing the town lit up.

Members will be informed of a new business text alert system being introduced by Downtown Portlaoise, which will improve security and communications between all the businesses.

What a success the market was this year.

After a successful trial a new Downtown Portlaoise Gift Voucher is coming on stream. It is available  to all clubs, factories and associations who wish to give out prizes, awards or gifts to its members, while supporting local businesses at the same time.  Anyone wishing for further details please contact the Downtown Portlaoise Committee.  This voucher will be capable of being used in any Downtown Portlaoise Members Business thus making your gift very versatile.

Portlaoise Tidy Town committee were thanked at the recent meeting for their continuing trojan work in keeping Portlaoise Town Centre looking great and  a place we can all be proud of.  They are a credit to the town and are certainly ‘unsung heroes’ in the true sense of the word. Downtown Portlaoise Committee are committed to working with Tidy Towns for the betterment of Portlaoise Town Centre.