We need to get the shoppers back in town, says Collentine
There should be no more negativity about the enhancement works in Mullingar, says Cllr Bill Collentine, who is calling for a promotional campaign to let shoppers know that the town is open for business.
“The works are complete – we should be proud of our town and singing its praises,” he said at last week’s Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District (MKMD) meeting.
“We need to do something to promote the town, to give the retailers a serious boost between now and Christmas.”
Wanting to make Mullingar “the number one shopping town in the midlands”, Cllr Collentine says people need to be encouraged into the shops.
“We need to spend a few pound on promotion,” he insisted, adding that free parking on Saturdays could be used as a way to entice shoppers back into the town, as well as advertising across local newspapers and websites.
“That’s a very positive message,” agreed Cllr Ken Glynn, “We should be promoting the vibrancy of the town.” He wants businesses, particularly those who will add to the selection of evening entertainment, encouraged into the town.
“We have WinterFest coming up, which is absolutely vital to this town,” he said. “Last year 34,000 people visited because of it and the first family who bought tickets were from Portlaoise.
“It’s going to be the first Christmas the works are done – let’s get the message out there. Let’s look at what other towns are doing in the midlands to promote their towns and let’s be ahead of the posse.”
Giving her support was Cllr Emily Wallace, who said there were still businesses that are barely “hanging on” following the enhancement works.
Cllr Aoife Davitt agreed that parking, website promotion, co-operation with Mullingar Chamber were all key to the town.
“We’ve given Mullingar a huge facelift and we really need to capitalise on that investment,” said Cllr Andrew Duncan. “In a few months’ time we’re going to have the national spotlight on us with the fleadh, and we won’t get a better opportunity than that to promote the town.”
€30,000 budget
Councillors were informed that €30,000 was allocated under the 2019 Service Level Agreement (SLA) for initiatives to market Mullingar.
Initiatives supported under SLA include renewal of the Purple Flag accreditation and promotion of the evening economy, Mullingar.ie, a digital brochure promoting Mullingar as a location for investment as well as showcasing Mullingar as a great place to live, work in and visit.
The agreement includes a new web-based ‘shop local’ voucher scheme implemented by Mullingar Chamber, with third party costs supported by Westmeath County Council. There’s also a plan to develop a ‘music, myths and legends’ initiative as part of the County Tourism Strategy.