Ballincollig selected as Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town

BANK of Ireland recently hosted a Town Hall meeting in Ballincollig to announce its ‘Enterprise Town’ initiative in partnership with the local community.

The Bank has taken a three-pillar approach to this initiative, whereby the local Branch Manager, Tom Purcell will work closely with the business community, the wider sports and social community and the schools in the town. Various planned activities will take place over the weekend of Friday 27^th and Saturday 28^th March, the aim of which is to promote and drive momentum for SMEs in the locality, while showcasing all that the town has to offer.

Over 40 people from the local community attended the townhall event in the Oriel House Hotel on Tuesday, 24^thFebruary. A business expo will take place on Friday 27^th March in Oriel House Hotel from 3pm to 7pm and a sports and community expo will take place on Saturday 28^th March in Ballincollig GAA Club from 2pm to 5pm. Both events are open to both customers and non-customers of Bank of Ireland.

Commenting on the initiative Tom Purcell, Branch Manager, Bank of Ireland, Ballincollig said: 'We are very excited to launch our Enterprise Town initiative in Ballincollig. I was delighted to see the great level of support from the local community for the initiative. With the platform Enterprise Town provides, matched with the commitment shown from the people of the town, the Ballincollig Enterprise Town initiative promises to deliver a major boost to the local economy and community life.'

'Bank of Ireland is committed to supporting the growth in business recovery in this country,' he added.

Committee member Brian Long, who is a local solicitor and chairman of Ballincollig GAA Club, said: 'Our aim is to help showcase local businesses in unison with the essence of the community. Ní neart ná cur le chéile.'

In addition to the planned business and community expos, the Bank has invited all students from local secondary schools Colaiste Choilm and Ballincollig Community School to compete in a competition to create a new slogan which will represent Ballincollig in 2015 and beyond. The winner will win a trophy and iPad and will be announced at the business expo.

Businesses, clubs and societies interested in taking part in the events can register by emailing Tom Purcell on[email protected] or Paula Murphy on [email protected] or by calling into the branch to speak to a member of staff.