Derry City retailers prepare for €uro countdown

As part of the drive to ensure Derry city shops are ‘Euro-friendly’ by January 1, 2002, retailers are being encouraged to participate in advice seminars.

Organised by City Centre Initiative and the North West Institute of Further & Higher Education, each seminar aims to advise retailers on currency exchange rates, cash handling and dual pricing.

The seminars will also provide an opportunity for the retailers to have their questions answered in the run up to the new currency.

The seminars are part of a Euro preparation strategy co-ordinated by City Centre Initiative and supported by the Regional Marketing Group, city centre businesses and finance companies that encourage retailers to be Euro friendly and around 50 city centre businesses have agreed to participate in the seminars.

Siobhan McLaughlin, Small Business Support Officer, North West Institute of Further & Higher Education said good preparation was important: ”The Euro changeover comes at the busiest time of the year for retailers and we hope that through the seminars we can assist with the changeover process. The seminars will be informal and will allow retailers to participate and access information that will make a real difference to their business.”

Paul Cavanagh said: “We hope the seminars, along with a retail information campaign to help explain the new currency, will encourage as many retailers as possible to trade in Euro notes. We are already getting strong indications of a strong punt trade pre-Christmas and we feel in the New Year it is equally important that the City can trade in the new currency and become Euro friendly.

“Already some of the larger stores are providing prices in Euros and Sterling do that it will be easy for shoppers to see just how far their Euro can go in the city centre. With over 500 shops offering an enormous range of choice and value we feel this direct comparison will be a real benefit to those shoppers who are looking for a Euro bargain.”

The first of the seminars open to retailers in the city centre, took place on Tuesday November 27 in the Northland Building at the North West Institute of Further & Higher Education. The second seminar is scheduled for Thursday November 29 in the Boardroom of the Chamber of Commerce.

For more information and to book a place, contact City Centre Initiative on tel. 028 7136 0169. (SP)