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Champion Green launches 'Treats for a Tenner' week

Ian Talbot of Chamber Ireland; Damien English, Minister of State for Business, Employment & Retail; Marian O'Gorman – Chair Champion Green / Kilkenny Design; Graham Byrne - SFA Chair and Jonathan Forde Head of Merchant Sales and Acquiring, Ireland
Ian Talbot of Chamber Ireland; Damien English, Minister of State for Business, Employment & Retail; Marian O'Gorman – Chair Champion Green / Kilkenny Design; Graham Byrne - SFA Chair and Jonathan Forde Head of Merchant Sales and Acquiring, Ireland

Consumers are being encouraged to stay local and shop local this autumn as local business offer "Treats for a Tenner" as part of Champion Green Week.

Running from September 6 to 12, the shop local campaign comprises consumer marketing and small business supports to emphasise the significance of the local economy, and help ensure the survival of SMEs.

Shoppers can check out https://championgreen.ie/ for top bargains at just €10 each, many heavily discounted by local makers, stores and service providers.

Small business represents the bulk of Irish enterprise and employs two-thirds of people in the private sector, generating 46% of turnover.

Sven Spollen Behrens, Small Firms Association Director, has called on people to shop more consciously.

"If every household in the country spent just €10 extra during Champion Green Week on a "Treat for a Tenner", that's a huge €1m injection into the local economy that's badly needed," he said.

A Champion Green survey in June showed greater recognition of the need to support local, with 49% claiming to now spend more in smaller local businesses.

28% of all adults said they spent additionally online with local businesses too.

Marian O'Gorman, the Champion Green founder, said local retailers have been inventive and diversified, adding that they have reached out to new customers and markets, and explored new channels, including online, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the pandemic alone adding €3 billion to the country's debt, it makes sense for everyone to help keep money in circulation in the country, the Kilkenny Design Group owner said.

"There is a definite sense that more people will choose to continue shopping in their local communities in the weeks and months ahead, so retailers and service providers need to give them every reason to do so" Ms O'Gorman said.

Launching the new scheme, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English said he wanted to acknowledge the importance of supporting local businesses at this time, as the country exits the pandemic and approaches a more normal trading environment.

"In addition to driving forward our small businesses and looking out for local enterprises, shopping locally allows consumers to impact their community, both economically and environmentally, as well as producing societal impacts that benefit everyone in the community," Mr English added.

Supported by Kilkenny Design and Visa, in association with Retail Excellence, Small Firms Association and Chambers Ireland, Champion Green aims to highlight the simple ways everyone can make a difference and help the recovery of small business.

The initiative is backed by a €1m investment to drive consumer support for local enterprise and to help SMEs adapt business.