CREDIT UNION LAUNCHES FERMOY SHOPPING VOUCHER
Shopping locally has become the new mantra of small town Ireland and Fermoy Credit Union is planning to give businesses in town a new lease on life by introducing a new shopping voucher scheme, as part of the new shop local campaign.
The campaign is based on a model used in towns like Athlone, Kilkenny and Clonmel, where the respective chambers of commerce run similar promotions. The initiatives were implemented last year, with Athlone having around €70,000 worth of vouchers circulating in town, and with Kilkenny and Clonmel boasting between 60-70 participating shops.
In the absence of a local chamber of commerce, the initiative in Fermoy has been taken by the credit union, which will now be printing and offering the vouchers. Local employers are encouraged to offer their staff Christmas bonuses in the form of vouchers and to consider even paying their staff in this way.
“Any business can give a non cash gift to an employee up to €250 in value without any PAYE or PRSI impact. So, companies ought to consider the voucher as the ideal way of keeping the money that it has generated in Fermoy and the surrounding areas. It is a tax efficient way of rewarding staff and there is no cost to you and we will receipt you, so you have an audit trail. Purchase these vouchers to reward your employees,” is the message from Pat Morrissey of Fermoy Credit Union.
48 shops have signed up so far and the participating outlets will display posters and window stickers to advertise the fact that they’re participants in the scheme.
“Order your vouchers for your employees as soon as possible and help kick start this scheme. Remember there are financial benefits for both the employer and the employee. If we work together we can stimulate the local economy and help keep more of the local earnings in our community,” Pat Morrissey signed off.
The scheme is being introduced in an effort to keep businesses in Fermoy viable and encourage people to shop locally.
Published:
Thursday 19th November 6:38pm
