Women are vital for a vibrant local economy
TOWNS like Mallow need a vibrant business environment and Mallow Chamber of Commerce is delighted that women are increasingly filling that need locally.
The slow but steady upturn in the economy has brought renewal to the commercial environment in Mallow and the local Chamber is very keen to nurture this momentum, and women in business are key to this.
“Mallow Chamber is there to support all business in Mallow because it’s vital for our town to have economic and commercial growth, not just for the business community but the entire life of the town,” says Chamber president Pat Hayes. “Increasingly, we are seeing women taking a larger part in the business life of the town and this, in effect, means we have a greater overall drive in growing the local economy.”
Pat’s family have grown their Country Life outlet on The Spa over many decades and he noted that in years gone by the range of women in business was smaller and more narrly focused.
“Years ago, there were many very well known and well respected women in business in Mallow but there was a tendancy for women to be in particular types of business, or family businesses - but that has changed quite a bit, which is a great thing for the town,” says Pat.
“There are more supports available for business start-ups today and I think women have more confidence to ‘give it a go’, which means the town, and its hinterland, has more strings to its bow when it comes to the local economy.”
At Chamber level, too, Pat says, women play a key part in addressing local issues and developing initiatives to promote Mallow as a great place to do business, and a great place to live. One of these in the Mallow Racing Home For Easter Festival, which they are currently building up to.
This year’s festival is set to return for its ninth outing from March 31 to April 2. With its long time driver-in-chief, Mary Kelly, having to take a step back for health reasons this year, Mallow Chamber is taking on a more central role this time out.
“In addition to the pubs being open on Good Friday, there will be plenty of new events and surprises to look forward to as well as the return of some tried and trusted festival favourites over the weekend,” Pat has promised.
“Once again, of course, women have key roles in ensuring the success of this extremely important local festival,” added Pat, “and for a town like Mallow it has to be that way, because we need as much local talent and expertise as we can get to drive the town forward into the future.”