Gift voucher scheme for more than 100 Buncrana businesses launched

A gift voucher scheme involving more than 100 Buncrana businesses has been launched with the aim of helping the town “get back on its feet”.

The scheme has been launched by Buncrana Businesses Together, a new group of local businesses that was formed following a meeting in September.

The scheme involves a wide range of businesses in the town including shops, restaurants, hotels, filling stations,  hardware stores, cafes, restaurants and service providers.

The vouchers, which are available in €10 and €20, are on sale for cash only at the Food For Thought store on the town's Upper Main Street from Monday to Saturday.

Paul Brogan, owner of Food For Thought and who organised September’s meeting, said the voucher scheme came about after 13 businesses pledged €200 each to get it off the ground.

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“The idea is to keep money in Buncrana because when you purchase a  voucher from Buncrana Businesses Together, it has to be spent in Buncrana,” he said.

“This is a new initiative, this is a new group and the idea is that our business people will work together for the benefit of all.

Mr Brogan said there will be a follow-up meeting of the group in January.

“This group will inform, challenge and work with local authorities and others for the benefit of Buncrana. It was decided that night [at the September meeting] to give Buncrana people and the businesses a boost and that a voucher system like this would be ideal for momentum-building. The group will get together again in January and organise committees and start then helping Buncrana get back on its feet and back up there again as a hub for  people to come and shop.”