400 Craigavon Businesses Join Euro Retail Campaign

Craigavon Borough Council, in partnership with Portadown 2000 and Lurgan Forward, has launched a spring ‘euro friendly’ campaign designed to encourage shoppers from the Republic of Ireland (RoI) to Craigavon.

 Shoppers can take full advantage of the diverse retail, comprehensive hospitality and leisure facilities the area has to offer, the campaign will actively promote Craigavon as a great shopping destination to border counties.

 The initiative is the latest business support service from Craigavon Borough Council’s Local Economic Development Strategy and follows the highly successful Craigavon Jobs Fair, ‘Credit Crunch’ Business Seminars and Innovation Programme in conjunction with Queen’s University.

 As the benefits of ‘euro tourists’ to Northern Ireland’s economy continues, Craigavon Borough Council is eager for the region’s 2,500 retail businesses to fully capitalise on the current euro exchange rate.

 Alderman Stephen Moutray Chairman of the Borough Council’s Economic Development Committee commented, “Over the last year Northern Ireland has seen an unprecedented influx of shoppers from the Republic of Ireland.  Craigavon has already seen a degree economic success as a result and I believe our euro friendly campaign will further highlight the borough as a fantastic shopping district with prospective RoI shoppers.

 The region is incredibly well connected with highly developed road and rail networks.  Craigavon is only a 50minutes journey along the A3 from Monaghan and with such substantial savings on offer, wealth of shops available and the individual character of three towns to enjoy, I am confident the campaign will have a significant impact.”

 The campaign has the backing of many local businesses with over 90% of retailers in Portadown, Lurgan and Craigavon signing up to the campaign, actively promoting their acceptance of the euro.  Window stickers will be clearly visible in participating stores and Craigavon Borough Council has been working closely with local high street banks to ensure the process for businesses is as straightforward as possible.

 "At present the NI economy is being artificially buoyed up by the influx of shoppers from the RoI and it is most important for retailers in Craigavon to try to tap into this market,” comments Donald McFetridge, Retail Analyst, Ulster Business School, University of Ulster.  “This is a great opportunity for retailers in Craigavon to take advantage of the sterling-euro exchange rate; this will not last forever and foresighted retailers will grasp this initiative while they can."

 The ‘euro friendly’ campaign is supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign,   which includes outdoor posters and local press advertising in border counties media in addition to the launch of www.eurobetteroff.com website, providing further details and information on the Craigavon area to RoI shoppers.