VillagePod app is receiving positive response from north Wicklow users

AN app supporting a local currency for Wicklow that went live towards the end of last year has been getting a great response from the community.

Supported by over 60 businesses, the VillagePod app supports a local currency called ‘VillageCoin’, which is tied one-forone with the euro.

With a dedicated team of six employees based in Bray, VillagePod aims to help local communities thrive while putting local businesses right at the centre. The platform was conceived and developed following a recognition that local businesses would benefit from a platform that champions them and addresses the technology and marketing disadvantage that many small businesses experience. The platform aims to help people make spending local a habit.

VillagePod founder Cormac McKenna said: ‘We have been hugely encouraged by the strong take-up of VillagePod from local businesses.

‘People told us that they really valued their local businesses and our mission is to help those businesses harness the goodwill that people already have for them. These businesses are the fabric of our local communities and our team is excited to be able to support them.

We are also very happy to have received assistance from the Local Enterprise Office in Wicklow which has been key to our ability to launch the platform,’ he said.

VillagePod works by allowing consumers to top up the app from their bank accounts using a debit card and then pay retailers with their smartphones or a small tablet.

The platform already supports payments to retailers and will shortly also support payments from person to person. It will also integrate loyalty and rewards features for retailers and digital gift cards, which will allow retailers to sell gift cards from social networks like Instagram.

An important feature of the platform is the nomination by each retailer of a local ‘cause’ – such as a charity, sports club or school – which the retailer supports each time a consumer makes a purchase. Overall costs for business are similar to a typical charge for accepting a credit card.

Louise O’Neill, VillagePod Partnership Manager, said: ‘More local businesses are coming on board every day and we welcome all businesses wishing to take payments from the public to contact us and get started on VillagePod – it’s free to set up. The platform has been operational now for several weeks in test retailers. A big selling point for retailers is that we are bringing them a platform that up to now has only been available for larger businesses which make huge investments in IT and marketing. We’re making these capabilities easily accessible for smaller businesses in a way that resonates with the public.

‘As well as prominent local “main street” retailers, we’re also now seeing many small businesses such as physiotherapists that up to now only take cash payments adopting VillagePod instead of having to go to the hassle and expense of setting up with a credit card provider,’ she said.

Greystones retailer Susan Collins, Home of Hair, said the app is a great way to bring a community together by encouraging people to support local businesses. She was also excited by the charitable aspect of the app.

‘I am from Greystones and have been active in my community all my life but through VillagePod I am able to effortlessly give back and support Bray Women’s Refuge through the percentage that goes to my nominated charity,’ she said.

Lauren O’Sullivan from Dockyard No. 8 said the business was excited to be part of VillagePod. ‘It’s such a super and simple idea. There is such a buzz amongst local businesses and customers already,’ she said.