Mallow gives a strong presentation to Enterprise Town judges

Judges for the Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town Awards pictured at Mallow Castle with local groups who entered the town for the awards. Photo, S Murphy.

Mallow put on its best bib and tucker last Wednesday for a visit by judges for the Bank of Ireland’s National Enterprise Town Awards, a competition to find the country’s most enterprising town. In Cork County, Mallow, Clonakilty, Kinsale, and Mitchelstown, are competing in various regional and national categories. With a total prize fund of €157,000, the overall winner will receive a cash prize of €33,000. This year’s Awards also feature a new Rising Star category, with €20,000 cash being awarded to a town/urban area/village that has a specific project which fosters social/artistic/creative/technological or enterprising interactions. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the end of November.

Local groups like Mallow Chamber, Mallow Development Partnership, Local Enterprise Office, business representatives and community groups met with the judges last week and gave a strong presentation on the town and the work being done to improve it. Mallow GAA was an impressive setting, and the group also visited amenities such as the plaza and Mallow Castle.
Judges for the competition consider a range of factors which demonstrate enterprising spirit and success including:
The Enterprising Town – local enterprise initiatives, business groups, innovations in the community, and social enterprises.
Attractiveness of the town – welcome signage, appearance, parking and accessibility.
Partnerships and reaching out – collaboration with local councils and agencies, joint initiatives between businesses, diaspora engagement and twinning.
Town leadership– innovative forward thinking and planning to support enterprise development.
Overall Community support – support for local businesses’s key services and culture, sports, heritage, environment.
Inclusion and Diversity – gender diversity, inclusivity of other cultures, reaching out to disadvantaged international communities.
Other – encompassing awards or recognitions, local publications, unique initiatives, evidence of sustainability.
Overall Impression – judges’ overall impression of the town and visit.