Pauline O’Connor (Weekly Observer sponsor) presenting the Chamber of Commerce award to Vicki Nash. Also pictured are Enda McLoughlin, Ronan Madigan, Kieran O’Regan and Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan TD.
George Daly Newcastle West Chamber of Commerce Breakfast at Longcourt House Hotel
The business community of west Limerick turned out in force last Friday morning at the Longcourt House Hotel in Newcastle West to attend the business breakfast hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce.
Also in attendance were invited representatives of other local organisations including the Business Association, the Comm-unity Council, the Tidy Towns Committee and the newly formed Newcastle West Development Association.
Over the last couple of years, Newcastle West and District Chamber of Commerce has been for-ging stronger relationships with various interest groups around the county to broaden the conversation on how best to serve the wider community.
The guest speaker at the breakfast was Enda Mc Loughlin, Regional Business Development Manager with IDA Ireland. He outlined the strategies currently being pursued by the agency to encourage further job creation in the regions.
“This is my first visit to Newcastle West” said Mr. McLoughlin. “It is great to see such a vibrant and forward looking group of people here. We want to engage with groups like this and find out what an area has to offer”. Mr. Mc Loughlin, who has only been recently appointed to oversee the Mid-West Region, stressed the importance of highlighting local facilities.
“The Red Door Hot-Desking and Incubation Centre is one such example,” he said. “Located in the heart of Newcastle West town, this is a major asset. Companies want to know that when they come into an area, these facilities are available. This is especially important at development and start-up stage”.
Mr. Mc Loughlin said he felt confident that having such facilities and strong groups like the Chamber in the area would in time lead to further jobs growth.
The Chamber President, Ronan Madigan, outlined the various initiatives being currently undertaken. “We in the Chamber felt there was a need for something like the Red Door hub facility, so we got on with it and made it happen. We are also stakeholders in the newly formed Development Association, where we will be central in implementing the new Five Year Plan for Newcastle West.”
“The support we receive from Limerick City and County Council is crucial,” he said. “We have had strong engagement with them over the last couple of years, which is paying dividends. The purchase of the Fuller’s Folly building adjacent to the Desmond Castle has been vital for our future plans. We have also partnered with the Development Association to purchase a set of Christmas Lights for Newcastle West town, again with the support of the Council. It is important for the county town to be recognised in this way”.
The newly formed Development Association, whose remit is the delivery of the Five Year Plan, has led to much more discussion and co-operation between various groups in the area, according to Mr. Madigan. “Now we have a blueprint, everyone is on the same page,” he said. “The amount of work done recently in preparation for the RTE Nationwide team is an example. The town is after getting a spring clean with all groups helping out. Everyone wants to get involved and it has created a very positive vibe around the town”.
A full RTE Nationwide programme based on Newcastle West will be broadcast in the coming weeks.
The Chamber of Commerce also presented the latest Customer Service Award, in association wth the Weekly Observer, at the event. This award tries to acknowledge those who ‘go the extra mile’ in whatever role they have, be it retail, services or community involvement. The latest recipient is Vicki Nash, in recognition of her trojan work with the Tidy Towns Committee.
Vicky Nash was the recipient of the Quarterly Award for excellence in customer service which was presented to her at the most recent Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast. The award is presented by the Newcastle West & District Chamber of Commerce which is partnered by The Weekly Observer in identifying those who go beyond the call of duty in delivering exceptional customer service in business or for their local community.
Vicky has shown through her works and actions particularly with the Newcastle West Tidy Towns Committee that anything is possible and most everything is achievable when everybody pulls together. Vicky is a worthy winner of the award and stands tall as an advocate for what can be achieved. The award is presented quarterly and if you know of anybody who strives for excellence in customer service please contact the Chamber of Commerce on email: info@newcastlewest.org
In his closing remarks, Mr. Madigan paid special thanks to Kieran O’Regan, who co-ordinated the Business Breakfast event for the Chamber, and Mark O’Shaughnessy, Triona Dore and the staff of the Longcourt House Hotel for hosting the event.