Slaney Business & Finance
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Monart Destination Spa strikes gold!
Monart Destination Spa, the luxurious adults-only destination spa outside Enniscorthy, has scooped one of the most prestigious awards in Irish hospitality – the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Award for Best Spa, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland as well as landing a glowing listing in the prestigious Irish Food Guide which was unveiled last month. The popular guide, which is collated by high profile food critics John and Sally McKenna, has become a real foodie’s bible listing the top restaurants and places to stay in Ireland annually. Detailing the restaurant and service the Irish Food guide describes Monart as ‘Getting the alliance between relaxation and invigoration just right’. The glowing listing reveals the staff at Monart are ‘wonderful’ and ‘love hospitality to their fingertips’. The spa, owned by the Griffin Group, was awarded the coveted Gold Medal award title at the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Awards in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel last month. Run by leading hospitality industry magazine, Hotel & Catering Review, and judged by an independent jury of experienced hospitality practitioners, the Gold Medal Awards are widely regarded
New shops open in Enniscorthy
With a lot of shops closing in the last couple of years in Enniscorthy it’s always good to see new ones opening up… Jean Depot has opened on Rafter Street, The Market House at the Abbey Centre and the large new Petopia pet store also at the Abbey Centre which will be officially opening this Saturday. We wish them all the best of luck.
OFFICIAL OPENING AT ABBEY CENTRE ENNISCORTHY 053 9243436 or 085 1229570
Saturday 10th November
Accepting the Irish hospitality – the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Award for Best Spa, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland award are Liam Griffin (CEO), Lorna Murphy (Manager), Gold Medal Representative, Mark Browne (General Manager) at Monart.
as the most prestigious and coveted awards in the business and were attended by over 400 leading hoteliers, restaurateurs, caterers and spa operators from across Ireland. Sarah Grennan, editor of Hotel & Catering Review and chairperson of the Gold Medal Awards Jury, explains why Monart wowed the Gold Medal judges: “Monart Destination Spa is not just Ireland’s leading spa, it is also one of the nation’s greatest hospitality businesses. Wellness is the name of the game in this
jewel of Enniscorthy, where every aspect of your stay is designed to maximise relaxation, care for the body and soothe the soul. Great therapists, excellent products, a well thought-out treatment list, smartly designed spa, luxurious accommodation, topclass food, and an extensive programme of health and wellness classes and activities make Monart the perfect destination to rest and revive the body and mind. But it is the team at this Wexford hideaway, which really make it special. Each
and every member of staff is devoted to ensuring you have a truly memorable and relaxing stay. From the moment you drive up to the front door your every need is anticipated and taken care of. It is little wonder that Monart has won so many Irish and international awards and enjoys such a high level of repeat business.” Monart Destination Spa beat seven of Ireland’s top spas to achieve the Gold Medal. Further details on Monart at www.monart.ie
Enniscorthy business news
The local Enniscorthy Business Association has warmly welcomed the Town Council decision to facilitate the flow of traffic from Old Barracks St/Irish St to Market Square so as to facilitate people entering the centre of the town. The change was unanimously agreed by members of the Town Council at their meeting on 24th September. The change will most likely occur in January after a consultation period and some formalities. Enniscorthy Chamber hopes that “motorists will be tempted into the town centre after visiting Dunnes Stores once they don’t have to drive over both of Enniscorthy’s bridges and tackle the N11 in order to reach their destination.” –––––––––––––––––––––––– Work on improvements at Church Street will most likely commence this January. –––––––––––––––––––––––– The next meeting of the Enniscorthy Business Association is tonight (6th Nov.) at 6.15pm in MAD, Market Sq.
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ACTION NEEDED TO PROTECT JOBS IN AGRICULTURE & AGRI-FOOD
Local Fiann Fáil TD John Browne has called on the Government to reverse its cuts to the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (DAS) and to tackle rising diesel prices and has criticised the lack of leadership from the government in protecting jobs in the farming and agri-food sectors. “We need clear and decisive action from the Government to support the agriculture sector, which is the engine of the economy here in Wexford and across the country. There are 300,000 jobs in the agri-food industry alone and it contributes €24 billion to the economy,” said Deputy Browne. A Dáil motion last month called on the Government to stop scaling back payments that are essential for small farmers in Wexford. “We are calling on the Agriculture Minister to expand the new AEOS to 8,000 places and restore the original maximum payment of €5,000… We are also urging the Government to take decisive action to tackle rising diesel prices and to introduce an effective user rebate scheme that will alleviate the rising financial pressure on farmers, agriculture contractors and farmers” said Deputy Browne.
PLAN TO SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURS
A Sinn Féin plan would make it far easier for Irish entrepreneurs to start up and prosper according to local rep Fionntán O'Súilleabháin. The new jobs plan calls for restrictions that hold back entrepreneurs to be lifted and for greater support networks to be set up. Mr O'Súilleabháin said: "Irish people are nearly twice as likely to set up their own business as their European counterparts despite the fact that the state puts a number of obstacles in their way. The lack of protection for those whose businesses fail, the difficulty in accessing start up finance and the lack of support in dealing with matters such as regulatory compliance and business management deter many people from becoming entrepreneurs." "An improved social security insurance system must be introduced. Self employed people should be given the option of paying PRSI at the same level as PAYE workers in order to receive the same entitlements in the event that they become unemployed." "Sinn Féin is also suggesting the launch of a state-wide entrepreneurship programme, the establishment of a website that would allow entrepreneurs to market their ideas and seek venture capital funding online and the creation of a state run or co-op service to provide new start-ups with tax preparation, payroll and legal services, accounting, preparation of business proposals for requests for capital and regulatory compliance services for a fee. This would greatly reduce the costs of doing business." "Sinn Féin is also calling for the auditing of all NAMA held property to find and utilise any units suitable for the purpose of new businesses. This, like the other proposals, would make social as well as economic sense. The promotion of entrepreneurs would create new business and employment, stabilise our local economy and stop the flow of young people out of this country."
MICROFINANCE
Microfinance Ireland is a new initiative funded by the Irish Government to provide loans of up to €25,000 to newly established and growing microenterprises (turnover less than €2m; staff less than 10) across all industry sectors that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by banks. In the first instance, you should approach your bank for credit. In the event that credit is declined, you are eligible to apply to Microfinance Ireland for a loan. Microfinance Ireland works in partnership with the County & City Enterprise Boards who can assist with training and guidance in preparing a business plan.
WEXFORD BUSINESS EXPO
Last month over 80 exhibitors participated in the Wexford Business EXPO in Whites Hotel, Wexford. This one day tradeshow allowed the general public and businesses to connect with the exhibitors as well as listen to industry experts such as Conor Pope of the Irish Times and Fred Karlsson of Done Deal. Enniscorthy-based businesses which had stands at the show included: C&R Print, Creane & Creane, and John A. Sinnott & Co, Solicitors.
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