Rumours of my demise etc ……
Last week I said I wouldn’t be around presenting the Bottom Line this week. Well ……. Er I am ! I got my dates wrong (as the woman said to her partner)
Anyway, I was glad to be around for what was a generally upbeat and optimistic programme about the state of business.
Tom Molloy reported on strong signals of an increase in business confidence contained in the Eurostat research released today. This backs up local sentiment reflected in Market Dynamics twice annual South East Business Confidence Survey. Note of caution though – no one yet knows what the impact of Obamas dramatic cuts in US Corporation Tax. The proof of the pudding …..
We’ve been enjoying one of the best Summers in years and Carlow Tourism and Kilkenny Chamber are upbeat about the impact. In Carlow the Carlow Garden Festival seems to be going from strength to strength while Kilkenny is still basking in the after glow of a wildly successful visit by the Boss aka Bruce Springsteen.
Linda Callinan had a great job working on Cruise Liners but gave it all up to come back to Carlow. She now runs Inches A Weigh on O’ Brien Road a fitness centre aimed squarely at the female market. Inches Aweigh was our featured business in the series “A Year in the Life” which we are running in conjunction with the Carlow Nationalist and Carlow Chamber of Commerce.
Retailing is changing dramatically and we talked to Kieran Comerford about the new scheme centered around Pop Up Shops launched last week by Minister Phil Hogan. If you are looking to dip your toe into retailing this could be just the thing for you. Contact Carlow Chamber for more information..
A few months ago we spoke to Jennifer McCreery of McCreery Contract Cleaning about her business. She was back on the programme again this week with great news that she is to create another 50 new jobs with the expansion of the company into the huge Dublin market.
And finally, we hear a lot about the importance of Exports to the Irish economy. John Whelan of the Irish Exporters Association joined us on air to talk about the calls being made by his organisation for the Government to look at ways of encourage people to invest in Ireland
I really am away from next week. The inimitable John Masterson will be keeping the seat warm. Talk to you in September ……
Regards
John
