FERMOY BUSINESS ACTION GROUP HOLDS ITS FIRST MEETING
The recently formed Fermoy Business Action Group, held its first meeting of almost 60 business owners in the Anderson Centre on Wednesday, October 27th. The meeting was addressed by Cllr Pa O’Driscoll who indicated that Fermoy Town Council were looking forward to working with the new group and to addressing the many issues that were affecting businesses in the town.
In his introduction to the meeting, David Valentine who co-chaired the meeting with Cllr Noel McCarthy, welcomed the support of Fermoy Town Council, Fermoy Enterprise Board, Fermoy Business Association and Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd.
The whole purpose of the group coming together was to find solutions to the issues affecting trade and commerce in the town, and to portray a positive image of Fermoy. Businesses were to be encouraged to work ‘for the good of Fermoy’, a topic Cllr Noel McCarthy spoke about, and also to show that Fermoy is unified, is getting up off the ground and helping itself.
Valerie Murphy of Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd., welcomed the formation of the new action group and looked forward to working closely with the group for the good of Fermoy.
A joint venture is already being discussed, with getting Peter Kelly, aka ‘Franc’ involved, which means all eyes will be on Fermoy! An open discussion took place with issues ranging from a new hotel, local government changes, parking, road works, tolls, casual traders and public toilets.
An election of the group’s committee then took place with the following people taking responsibility for the main roles; chairman David Valentine of Ulster Bank; vice chairman Noel McCarthy (Carry Out Off-Licence); secretary Trevor Slattery (Slattery Sports), PRO Ray Murphy (Joe Murphy’s) and treasurer Noel Barnes (Barnes Jewellers) with a committee that includes Valerie Murphy, Peter Kelly, Mark Hayes, Justin Hanley, Tom Aherne and Anthony Kelly.
Cllr Noel McCarthy spoke to The Avondhu following what was a very positive meeting.
“It was very well attended and business people expressed their concerns. What is important going forward is communication, especially with phase 2 of the flood plan happening in the new year. We all have the same goal, and that is to get more footfall into Fermoy town. We can achieve that by working together in unity,” the local councillor said.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 22 at 6.15pm in The Wagon Tavern, Fermoy.
Published:
Thursday 4th November 5:19pm
