Business showcase event

BALLYCASTLE Chamber of Commerce’s Open Evening at the Marine Hotel was a fantastic showcase for local businesses and a great opportunity for the local community to get a real insight into the many projects that the Chamber support.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jul 2013, 10:30 BST
Eileen Christie and Gerard Grey at the Ballycastle market organised by the Chamber of Commerce.INBM28-13 Pic Daniel McAfeeEileen Christie and Gerard Grey at the Ballycastle market organised by the Chamber of Commerce.INBM28-13 Pic Daniel McAfee
Eileen Christie and Gerard Grey at the Ballycastle market organised by the Chamber of Commerce.INBM28-13 Pic Daniel McAfee

The meeting was joint-chaired by Valerie Watson, who did an excellent job as acting Chairperson, and Paul Cochrane because Mary O’Driscoll could not attend due to prior commitments.

The Evening also presented an opportunity for the Chamber to launch its new website, with an excellent presentation from Tony Devlin of Glenovation, who is a member of the Chamber web team. The new website and its potential for promoting the Chamber shows the benefit of Chamber membership to both existing and potential new members.

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Tom Mullin from Thyme & Co, devised and co-ordinated the Ballycastle Coffee Culture initiative and presented plaques to participating businesses on the night. This project ensures that participating members commit to the highest standards of quality and service in delivering a great coffee culture to locals and visitors alike. This is the first step in a plan to promote Ballycastle’s thriving café and restaurant scene.

Valerie Watson then presented prizes to the four winners of the recent Treasure Hunt competition. All four of the local primary schools got involved in the project and the response from the children was fantastic. While there were four worthy winners Valerie noted that the high quality of entry from all the children made the judges’ task very difficult indeed.

Ronan Boyle, Treasurer of the Chamber, updated all present on the next Chamber initiative that will be taking place in July to support the Independent’s Day initiative to support town centres across the country. This will be a new project to help promote Ballycastle town centre across the Moyle area, with more details to follow very soon.

Councillor Cara McShane praised the work that the Chamber carries out and the important role it plays within the wider Moyle community. Councillor Donal Cunningham, who is heading up the Revitalise Ballycastle project, gave an update on the exciting plans for Castle Street and Clare Street.

Paul Cochrane highlighted the progress that the Chamber has made over the past few years .