User:Tracytierney/Shop Athy

Shop Athy began in March 2009, when 2 local business owners from Athy [], Robert Redmondand Maurice Flinter, decided that something needed to be done about the increasing number of business closures in Athy.

A public meeting was called and all businesses in the town were invited to attend. The meeting was held in The Clanard Court Hotel on 21st March 2009. The meeting was attended by at least 100 business owners from the town. Robert Redmond outlined the plan via a power point presentation. The plan was as follows

Advertising
A years advertising was promised to the members via all media. Robert Redmond was interviewed on The Business on RTE Radio 1 on Sunday 19th of April about the Shop Athy project. There was a fantastic prize worth €2500 sponsored by Athy businesses given out the show.

Town Improvements
The overall look of the retail area of Athy[] had become run down and neglected. This was seen as putting Athy at a disadvantage for attracting people into the town for shopping and recreation. It was decided to totally revamp the entire main streets of the town, Leinster Street, Duke Street and William Street.

Painting
Shop Athy managed to secure a sponsorship deal with a Kildare[]based paint manufacture Colortrend. Shop Athy was now in a position to supply all it's members with FREE PAINT. Non-members were offered paint at a highly substidised rate.

Flowers
Each member was given two flower boxes

Wet Paint Gallery
Shop Athy facilited the opening of the Wet Paint Gallery on the 30th May 2009, coinciding with Triathy which was happening the same day.

Members
Athy Payroll Bureau Limited

MCD Civil Engineering

Walshe IT Services

Robert Redmond Photography

Maurice Flinter Carpets