Lucky shopper Ann wins €1,000 prize

LOCAL Shopper Ann Smith scooped the top prize of €1000 worth of vouchers to spend in local Wicklow town shops in this year’s ‘Shop Local’ initiative organised by the retail committee of The Wicklow Town Chamber of Commerce.

To say thank you to local shoppers and encourage people to shop in Wicklow Town over the Christmas period, the Reward Card Scheme was in place all over the town.

For every €20 spend in any local shop, coffee shop, restaurant, hairdresser, barbers or beauty salon participants received a loyalty stamp. Once 10 stamps (value €200) were collected, cards were entered into a draw to win top prize of €1000 in gift vouchers from local businesses. All participating businesses donated vouchers up to the value of €50 and there was over €3000 worth of local shop vouchers to be won. Thousands of completed cards were received and the draw took place in Phil Healy’s on Thursday.

Ann was delighted with her prize. ‘I was so surprised to win, I never win anything. I always try to shop locally where I can. This year I had treated myself to some new blinds for Christmas at Wicklow Curtain and Blind Centre so I am even more delighted now I chose to buy them locally,’ she said.

Top prizes were €1000, €500 and two by €250 worth of vouchers. In total there were 15 prizes as well as a bonus prize of a year’s free parking in the town, thanks to the Wicklow Municipal District.

The winner of the free parking was Peg McMullen, who was particularly thrilled to win, as she is hopping around on crutches with a broken leg.

‘This win will make it easier for me to get around. I love shopping in Wicklow Town and winning the free parking is even more of an incentive to shop there.’

Winner of a smaller prize, Ailish Whelan, said: ‘I’m delighted to win. I never win anything. I’ll be doing the lotto this week now.’

The campaign is now in its second year and has proved another great success, stated Pascal Burke, President of The Wicklow Town Chamber of Commerce.