Michael Gaynor President of Dundalk Chamber is delighted to announce that sales of the Shop Local Gift Vouchers has hit a record of €400,000 since their launch last year. Now with over 220 local shops and businesses redeeming “ Shop Local Gift Vouchers” they are a welcome addition to retailers in the town.
Michael Gaynor is calling on members of the public and the business community to continue to get behind the “Shop Local Vouchers” this Christmas and give them as Christmas presents to family and staff. “With just over €400,000 sold to date in their first year, they have been a resounding success” commented Michael.The Chamber hopes to hit sales of €500,000 and is asking the people of Dundalk to get behind this initiative. Michael commented that “this initiative was set up to to help keep money, and protect local jobs within the local economy.The Chamber plan is to grow sales even more for the remainder of the year.”
Billy Doyle, Manager Dundalk Credit Union said “the Credit union is delighted to support this shop local initiative and used the occasion of our recent AGM to circulate a shop local flyer to all our 24,000 members”
Paddy Malone PRO of Dundalk Chamber commented on the vouchers saying the give the receiver “the gift of choice as they can be spent in Toy Shops, Restaurants, Hair Salons, Gift Stores, Gyms, Beautician, Clothes shops, and much more- you will be amazed with the selection of businesses now redeeming them”. The vouchers now come in a €5 denomination as well as €10, €20 and €50’s.
Paddy would like to encourage local employers to get behind this voucher scheme and give the Shop Local Gift Vouchers as the Christmas Bonus this year. Employers can save 56% on staff rewards by giving employees a Shop Local Gift Voucher instead of cash. Michael mentioned that “Businesses can reward their staff with a €500 tax free payment.You are entitled to give one each and every year. Under the Small Benefits Exemption Scheme, company Directors and Employees can receive a non-cash bonus of up to €500 in value on a completely tax free basis each year and he would encourage all employers to buy this voucher for the town”.
By buying the Shop Local Gift Vouchers not only can you save money by taking advantage of the Government Small Benefit Exemption Scheme but it is also a fully deductible business expense for your company. If you haven’t availed of the Small Benefit Exemption Scheme so far in 2016, Michael would encourage you do so before 31st December 2016 and use Shop Local Gift Vouchers for this.
Michael Gaynor also stated that “Directors of a limited company can avail of a €500 tax free payment as they are considered an employee of the business. Unfortunately this benefit does not apply to Sole traders / Partnerships however it would apply to their employees.”
The beauty of these vouchers is that they do not expire and the shops get the full amount back. They do not lose value over time. Members of the public can buy the vouchers in Grants Dublin St, McCuskers in Earl St, Central News Clanbrassil St, Centra Blackrock, Sheelans in Riverstown, Finnegans in Louth Village and Victorys Centra in Dunleer.
You can also purchase them online at https://dundalk.ie/vouchers – there is no charge for delivery. The vouchers can also be purchased directly from the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce Office by calling Brenda on Tel: 042 9336343 or email accounts@dundalk.ie
The €400,000 in sales means that at last 1,000,000 will be retained in Dundalk over Christmas. Every euro spent will mean extra jobs in Dundalk which in turn means extra payroll which in turn means a further round of spending. This also creates a buzz and a positive feel good factor for the holiday period… Paddy Malone
To check out the full list of outlets who are redeeming the Shop Local Gift Vouchers visit http://shoplocal.dundalk.ie
Attachments
- Sales hit 400K (pdf/46 KB)
