14 retailers from Millstreet town and surrounding area recently completed Cork County Council’s Beacon Retail Programme.
The programme which commenced in early February this year and following an onsite meeting with the business owners in the town, a strategic working document was tailor made for each individual outlet. This document was designed by an external expert team who specialises in the retail industry and for the duration of the programme, the business owner had the support and advice of this expert team.
The Beacon Retail Programme is managed by Cork County Council’s Padraig O’ Sullivan who is delighted with how successful the programme has been for the Millstreet retailers and confirmed there will be similar programmes carried out in Milstreet E Centre in the future.
Chairman of the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District and Local Independent Councillor for the Millstreet area, Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea said “Retailers are operating in a very tough economic times currently and need access to as much supports as possible without the high costs associated with this professional advice – this is exactly why the retail programme was developed. The retailers involved all found it of great benefit to them and to their individual business”.
The Beacon Retail Programme is heavily funded by the Economic Development Fund of Cork County Council and is designed to assist retailers in Cork county to revitalise and grow their business, by analysing all aspects of running a retail business, making expert recommendations and working on a 12 -18 month strategic plan to sustain and take their business to the next level.
In addition to Millstreet, to date the Beacon Retail Programme has been rolled out to several towns across Cork County including Charleville, Ballincollig, Dunmanway and Youghal and it is currently ongoing in both Castletownbere and Cobh.
Further information on the Retail Programme can be found on www.beaconinitiative.net.
