ENJOY A WINTER WONDERLAND!
SLIGO SPREADS A LITTLE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WITH A RANGE OF NEW FESTIVE EXPERIENCES, JENNY MCCUDDEN REPORTS
Christmas is definitely in the air around the North West with a host of festive fun things to enjoy across the county.
Shopping sprees are inevitable at this time of year and Sligo has pulled out all the stops when it comes to choice, bargains and offering that little something different, like Christmas markets packed with those perfect gifts.
Quayside will be transformed into a Christmas winter wonderland from December 1st with a traditional indoor Christmas Market.
A collection of wooden stalls have been pitched in the popular shopping centre selling goods to cater for customers of all ages.
Carpenters are busy putting the finishing touches on the structures while Feehily’s Florists have already decorated the various floors with impressive decorations and lighting.
Indeed the Florist will have its own stall with all you need to decorate the house for Christmas.
A well known Sligo Cafe that has got into the Christmas Spirit is Osta at Garavogue Weir, Stephen Street with its very own festive pop up shop.
The official opening was last Friday night when customers enjoyed some mulled wine and festive bites. Products in the riverside store next door to the cafe include locally produced gifts made in Sligo like slate and driftwood tide clocks, seaweed goods, jewellery, decorations, hampers and preserves.
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and of course mulled wine will be available and the opening hours are Monday to Sunday from 10am till late.
Johnston’s Court Shopping Centre will also host a number of festive stalls with a wonderful collection of home made arts and crafts.
Meanwhile more than 70 Sligo shops have signed up to a Christmas Gift Card scheme.
Sligo Chamber of Commerce has launched the new gift cardwhich allows companies to provide employees with Tax Free Benefit.
The Card can be used at retailers including EJ Menswear, Liber, Argos, TK Maxx & Kool Kidz to name but a few.
Sligo Chamber CEO Aidan Doyle says: “Sligo Chamber of Commerce in partnership with The Gift Voucher Shop (GVS), the company behind Ireland’s market leading One4all Gift Card, is delighted to launch a new gift card in the run-up to Christmas, which allows employers in Sligo to reward and motivate their staff with a taxfree benefit and stimulate the local economy at the same time.
“The Sligo Chamber Gift Card can be used at over 70 retailers in Sligo. Employers can reward their staff with any amount up to €500 on a Sligo Chamber Gift Card completely tax-free as a one-off benefit each year. The benefit is exempt from income tax, the Universal Social Charge (USC) and employee and employer PRSI.
“The aim of the card is to help businesses reward and motivate their staff, maximise staff retention and increase customer loyalty.”
Research shows that in- creased motivation can boost employee productivity by as much as 44%
Through the card employees have access to a huge range of options from treating
themselves to a new outfit, a meal out in a local restaurant, or even buying the Christmas turkey.
“It is innovative and practical and allows businesses in Sligo to not only reward and incentivise their employees, but to stimulate trade in the city. It is a great way to reward staff through a one-of benefit and it will help drive customer and staff loyalty.”
Any businesses wishing to purchase the Sligo gift card can order online at sligochamber. ie, call the Gift Voucher Shop directly on 01 -8708109 or email corpsales@one4all.ie. Alternatively these gift cards can be purchased from Centra, Castle St., Matt Lyon’s Shop, Stephen St. or Regional Stores, Ballinode in Sligo.
For more information visit the Sligo Chamber website www. SligoChamber.ie.