Naas gets praise for innovation in Gift Card scheme in national Rejuvenating Ireland's Small Town Centres report
On the week a popular Naas cafe and restaurant announced its closure with no plans to reopen, a national report warns that shopping centres are ‘a significant challenge to traditional town centre retailing’.
According to Rejuvenating Ireland’s Small Town Centres- a call to Action, Co Kildare has 10 shopping centres and three retail stores.
On Sunday Jolly Cafe and Restaurant in Naas closed while a report is lauding Naas for its innovation in working to keep the town centre.
A statement from Jolly Cafe and Restaurant said:"While trade is often brisk, it can also be sporadic however, as a result it's not enough to keep us running. We were six years old last week and we've had some wonderful times and amazing customers, thank you all for your support over the years."
Within the past month, Naas town has seen three businesses close, Veritas, Five Lamps pub and Jolly Cafe and Restaurant.
Meanwhile a long established Naas politician is concerned that very few people running businesses in the town own the premises.
Lack of financial supports from banks and high rates are some major issues, says Cllr Séamie Moore.
Cllr Moore is optimistic that while businesses are closing in Naas, there are also plans for businesses to open while there are also new businesses currently opening.
He is hopeful that the shopping centre in Naas will be open by 2020 and the old Superquinn site will open for business within three months, renewing the town centre again.
The Chartered Surveyors of Ireland Ireland, written by Stephen Purcell, called Rejuvenating Ireland’s Town Centres says that Naas is showing innovation in its attempts to keep the town centre alive.
The report praises Naas which acts as a recent example of innovation, where a local group of businesses have established a partnership which is the first of its kind in Ireland.
The Naas Regeneration Group acted as the impetus for a project that saw the
the impetus for a project that saw the Me2You gift card company collaborate
with local businesses in Naas to produce a Naas Gift Card.
This gift card can be used across all involved retailers and businesses in Naas to purchase goods and services. It qualifies for a government scheme whereby employers can award members of staff with gift card up to €500 tax free.
The card can only be used within Naas, therefore creating a closed loop which
sees expenditure and profits remain in the town.
The initiative has received the supports of the Chamber of Commerce, local authority and EU Arbact.
Mr Purcell said: “People visiting a town centre are increasingly doing so with a focus on the experience.The customer experience in-store and on-street is becoming more important, and ensuring in-store and on-street is becoming more important.”
Meanwhile, in August, the Candied Walnut restaurant in Naas closed. A statement said:"Despite our ongoing efforts, the business faced increasingly difficult trading conditions this year and coupled with weather events and increasing running costs and overheads, we have been left with no option but to close. We are utterly devastated and heartbroken for all our Candied Walnut staff who have been so supportive and understanding.”
Rejuvenating Ireland’s Small Town Centres - A Call to Action, with a warning statement from President of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland, Des O’Broin lists ‘Increasing costs and overheads, lack of collabaration, reduced funding for local authorities and the legacy of out of town shopping centres,’’ as major factors that signal the death knell for the traditional town centre.
The report says that critical success factors for rejuvenating the town centre includes the importance of local authorities.
Mr Purcell said: “ Local authorities have a unique role and can have the most effective role.A common theme that emerged throughout the consultation process undertaken for this project was the importance of strong and visionary local authorities. It is the local authority who must drive forward the rejuvenation efforts in towns within their boundaries.”