Westmeath enterprise team ask shoppers to ‘Look for local’
‘Look for local’ is the plea going out this week to consumers from staff in Local Enterprise Offices – and Westmeath’s head of enterprise, Christine Charlton, is stressing that looking local – whether for products, services or experiences – will benefit the entire county.
“Every euro you spend with a local business is an investment in the community around us and the quality of goods, services and experiences on our doorstep is second to none,” Christine told the Westmeath Examiner this week.
Research carried out as part of the first Look for Local campaign, which was run by Local Enterprise Office Westmeath in November and December 2020, showed that Irish consumers were 83 per cent more likely to look local for products and services in 2021.
“This campaign aims to strengthen that sentiment and to educate consumers on the domino effect that local spending has throughout their community,” said Christine.
“Every €10 spent in Westmeath on Irish products and services generates more than €40 of benefit to the county in terms of employment.
“Not only that, but it makes a positive environmental, economic and societal impact.
“This summer we are asking everyone to Look for Local and support businesses and jobs across County Westmeath.”
Other counties’ Local Enterprise Offices are pushing a similar message in their areas, and launching the campaign, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar spelt out the importance of the message.
“It’s more important than ever to look for local and support the small businesses in your community. Whether you’re thinking of buying a gift, new clothes, a service of some sort – whatever it is, your local business would be delighted with your custom,” he said.
The tánaiste said it was wonderful to see so many small businesses reopen recently, after what was “an exceptionally difficult period”.
“As our vaccine programme ramps up further, we hope to see many more open their doors,” he said.
“More than one million people are employed by a small business in Ireland – more than the public sector and multi-nationals combined.”
Within Westmeath, Ms Charlton said, since the onset of Covid-19, Local Enterprise Office Westmeath has been working closely with small businesses across the county to help sustain them with financial supports, training, mentoring and consultancy for all areas of their business.
“Now it’s our turn as consumers to Look for Local with the economy reopening,” she said.
Ms Charlton added that consumers are encouraged to use #LookforLocal on social media to help support the campaign, with to tag their favourite local businesses and services.
• Local Enterprise Office Westmeath is a one-stop shop for anyone with a business idea, or running a small business in County Westmeath. Contact the team at localenterprise@westmeathcoco.ie or visit their website at localenterprise.ie/westmeath.