Tramore

Following the merging of Tramore Chamber and Waterford Chamber, a vibrant business network has begun to emerge in Tramore.

Waterford Chamber now acts as the voice of the business community in Tramore and has enhanced the lines of communication between the business community and the

Local Authority.

Plans are in place to further enhance collaborative efforts in

Tramore, following the success of various initiatives that we introduced throughout the year.

We look forward to working in earnest to support the economic development of the town in conjunction with Waterford City & County Council.

RETAIL STRATEGY REVIEW As part of our submission to the Waterford City & County Council Retail Strategy Review for Tramore we addressed concerns by businesses regarding the planned Urban Renewal Works, called for marketing and promotion of the town’s retail offering and more signage for Riverstown Business Park, as well as support for initiatives such as Taste Tramore. Based on a survey, we recommended the implementation of paid parking for the town centre, with a minimum of one hour free parking allocated to facilitate shopping with paid parking thereafter. Our submission also included all the suggestions we recevied from our Tramore members.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Responding to the concerns of our Tramore members about impending road closures and disruption as a result of Urban Renewal Works, and the effect it would have on the Christmas trade, Waterford Chamber, with the financial support of Waterford City & County Council, devised the Tramore Christmas Festival.

Running over three weekends on the lead up to Christmas, the festival was designed to encourage footfall into the main shopping area of Tramore, encouraging people to shop locally over Christmas. Enhancing the town centre, despite the impending road works, we created a winter wonderland for the whole family.

Highlights included our purpose-built Fairy House, a giant

snow globe stage, interactive parades, festival markets, Santa, snow and musical performances by schools. We also had a fairy trail with the support of retailers running along Main Street and a letter box encouraging children to post their Christmas Wishes to the Fairy Snow Queen, who collected them each evening as an opening to the parade.

Tramore Christmas Festival brought thousands of people onto the streets and ultimately provided the business community with an event which brought them together to work for a common cause under the umbrella of Waterford Chamber and collectively promote shop local policy.