Cork East Ógra Fianna Fáil hosts seminar on Small business and Tourism

Cork East Ógra Fianna Fáil hosted a seminar on small business and Tourism last saturday in the Commodore Hotel. The event include speakers such as Cork business owner Kenneth O’Flynn and Co-Founder of the Software Company “OneLookSystems” Patrick King. Among those in attendance were councillors from Thurles, Cork city and Youghal

Topics at the seminar ranged from the difficulties and support for new start ups, How large chains are draining business from corner shops as well as the lack of support for new small family owned businesses.

Michael Forde, Chair Person of Cork East Ógra states “The seminar really did highlight the struggles of the Small business industry. During the seminar it was highlighted how strongly businesses in areas such as down town Cobh or Cork city Center are loosing out to areas such as Mahon Point. With 60% of employment coming from small businesses in Ireland its essential we support locally and small first even if it means something that seems as insignificant as buying your socks in the Keen house instead of a large retailer in cork and getting your Milk in Garveys or Curleys instead of Aldi or Lidl.” Forde continues to state” One of the major faults we’ve learned of the Irish tourism sector is how there can and is a lack of cooperation and organisation. Here in Cobh we see buses each day pull up and then straight out without giving tourists as much as a wince of the town. I think its essential that groups such as the Cobh town council end their seemingly petty squabbling based on national political allegiances and focus more thoroughly on representing the people on local issues and cooperating together for the mutual benefit of the town.